Updated at 5.45pm with video

Building a metro in Malta should only be considered if it makes economic sense, the European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said.

Addressing a press conference on Friday afternoon, Ms Bulc said that while the government had informed her that feasibility studies had yet to be conducted, she was aware of the debate on building a metro on the island.

While the EU was in favour of mass modes of transport, economic factors as well as technological ones needed to be taken into consideration when planning such upgrades.

The final decision however, Ms Bulc said, would be in the hands of the government which would decide whether to forge ahead with such plans.

Read: Malta metro 'only feasible in Sliema, unless we grow' - Muscat

Read: Valletta to Gozo in 30 minutes: what a metro in Malta could look like

Ms Bulc was in Malta as part of a day trip to visit the island’s infrastructural projects, notably those that were being funded by the EU.

She addressed the press conference together with Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella as well as Transport Minister Ian Borg and EU Funds Minister Helena Dalli.

Ms Bulc described her visit as a fruitful one, citing the Marsa junction project as one which was going “pretty well”.

"I have full confidence that it will be ready within the projected two and a half years," Ms Bulc said.

During her meeting with the Prime Minister earlier in the day, Ms Bulc said new and emerging technologies were discussed, during which “clear commitment” was shown for Malta's transportation systems restructuring.