The studies about the shortlisted sites for the American University of Malta are being discussed by the Environment and Development Planning Committee in Parliament tonight.

Committee chairperson Labour MP Marlene Farrugia re-convened the committee to discuss the controversial site selection for the American University of Malta.

During a meeting held last June, Mepa CEO Johann Buttigieg promised to present the sites which were being considered in an upcoming committee meeting.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister announced that the government had chosen two sites, one within development zones in Cottonera and a site in Zonqor. The latter still includes 18,000 square metres of ODZ land on land designated by the local plan as part of a national park.

Contacted by Times of Malta, Dr Farrugia said “I want my government to be as pro-environment and pro-health as it is pro-business. I want my government to think rationally before leaping into trading what belongs to the Maltese nation.  Investments have to be chosen wisely.

"It cannot be allowed to spoil the benefits of investment by allowing irreversible divestment of this country’s precious and dwindling natural and other heritage.

"We can have sustainable economic growth only if environmental sustainability is safeguarded in the process,” she said.