As head of the Malta-EU Information Centre, Simon Busuttil had penned an article in Aġġornat in February 2003 entitled Negotiations On Gozo. This was before our islands assertion joined the European Union.

Dr Busuttil, a person that I admire and who, I believe, is making a good name for himself and also for Malta as other MEPs are also doing, wrote about a “declaration by Malta on the island region of Gozo”.

At a glance, the negotiations on Gozo focused on the following points:

A declaration on the “island region of Gozo” will be attached to the Treaty to take account of Gozo’s specific circumstances.

Gozo will be considered as a separate region from Malta for statistical purposes (NUTS 111) while the Maltese islands will be classified together for the purpose of EU funding (NUTS 1 & 2 levels).

Gozo’s regional development will be a separate priority in Malta’s programme for EU funding. (single programming document).

A Gozo regional project committee will be directly involved in how EU funds are used in Gozo.

State aid for transport of agricultural goods will continue for a five-year period after membership.

Inter-island passenger transport (Gozo ferry) will remain VAT free.

Gozo ferry transport will remain subsidised for Gozitans residents.

The document relevant document also notes that “The gross domestic product per capita of the island region of Gozo is significantly lower than that of Malta as a whole”.

In my opinion, where the Government really washed its hands of the Gozitans was in terms of sidelining Gozo and the Gozitans by stating the following.

“Recognising that the NUTS 111 classification accorded to the island region of Gozo may not, on its own, ensure implementation of the European Union’s stated commitment to take measures for the benefit of less favoured-regions”.

This declaration was made when also declaring that Gozo’s GDP was just 71 per cent of Malta’s national average.

The Government document also referred to the declaration on Gozo being attached to the Treaty and also on Gozo’s separate regional status for statistical purposes and negotiations on transport-related issues of direct interest to Gozo.

After eight years since the Maltese islands became an EU member state, the real situation in Gozo is much worse than before.

The GDP in Gozo is below what it used to be. So are the promised aspirations.

It is now being stated (as indicated in the agreement) that transport subsidies for agricultural goods and local businesses are to stop. If this is so, then not only will the double-insulation of Gozo become critical but the cost of living will escalate tremendously.

This move will be the death blow to any local or foreign investment in Gozo.

I really believe that governments, whatever the party in power, do initially tend to work for the good of citizens. But if these prolong their stay in power, arrogance, intolerance, lack of energy, abuse of power, cliques and dryness of ideas will render them helpless in terms of governance.

Gozo is suffering when it come to progress, work, proper hospital equipment and facilities. Several specialists are not holding sessions at Gozo General Hospital. Proper transportation to and from hospitals is also lacking, jeopardising patients’ lives due to travelling time.

Old people homes are non-existent, except for two wards in the general hospital.

Nurseries and child care centres are another problem.

The Xewkija industrial estate resembles an abandoned cemetery. Not a single factory has opened in Gozo.

The sort of infrastructure that is necessary for development, such as direct cable networks, is lacking.

A “useless buoy” was installed at Xlendi, which cannot be used except in calm weather by the very few remaining of smallest cruise liners.

University courses in Gozo are not adequate and only held on part-time basis.

Gozitan students have to sit for exams in Malta, no matter the hardship of rough weather or travelling time, because the University fails to send examination papers in the morning.

Form VI students do sit for their exams in Gozo because papers are brought over to Gozo from Malta.

It also appears that there is no fair distribution of contracts. Most of the contractors are continuously complaining about this.

Housing in Gozo in now non-existent. In my opinion, another Lohombus Bank should be made available to serve the needs of all first-time home buyers. In this way, financial pressure will be eased on such couples, which is causing friction and separations.

The present Government has promised that 10 per cent of EU funds be allocated to Gozo. But an ocean separates a promise from facts. I would like someone to examine the figure that is actually spent at the end of the financial year.

The Mġarr harbour has become too small for Gozo’s needs. A large extension is urgently required.

There is need for a study on new ferries for Gozo Channel and on transport connections with Comino. Likewise, a survey on how to attract more visitors to Gozo is required.

Arriva is ridiculous in having a ticket for Gozitans and another one for Maltese, as if we do not live in the same country.

Tourism needs a complete revamp.

Having back offices in Gozo is a must. The emphasis is on procuring work in Gozo.

One sees many shots of Gozo in TV advertisements but no mention of Gozo.