Cottonera Marina Project: Right of access to the General Public

Whereas during the last days, several spokes-persons from the Opposition particularly Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, have continued persistently to furnish the wrong interpretation of the clause related to the right of access to the general public contained in the agreement reached between Government and Port Cottonera Co. Ltd, it has been decided to publish the relevant clauses of the said agreement for the information of the general public.

" 2.1. The said quays described in (I) and (II) above will be subject to rights of passage in favour of the buildings abutting thereon as well as a general right of access and passage to the public, provided that the company shall have the right to restrict, with Government's approval which shall not be unreasonably withheld, vehicular access to the areas in (I) above, provided that a refusal by the Government to agree to a restriction that would disallow vehicular traffic acceding to or exiting from Fort St. Angelo shall not be considered as unreasonable.

Furthermore any existing or future street, road or thoroughfare connecting Saint Lawrence Street - Birgu and the quay forming part of the emphyteutical land is or will be subject to a general right of pedestrian passage.

2.2 The grantee cannot withhold any reasonable access by the public to the herein before mentioned quays and public areas."

It is crystal clear from the above clauses that there are no pedestrian restrictions. Moreover any doubts about restriction on fishing, bathing and barbeques have been erased before the actual resolution was voted on in Parliament, with the amendment of article 2.2 as reproduced above. Dr. Gonzi although well aware of this, has persistently misquoted the agreement.