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SPECIAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY FOR THE ISLAND OF GOZO
pr1759
22/11/2001
22/11/2001
| Government believes that there is a need to undertake a planning effort | which is distinct from yet complementary to the planning effort for the Maltese islands. The peculiar and permanent handicaps Gozo faces will not secure Gozo its fair share of the developments achieved at a national level. Unless specific measures and initiatives are spearheaded, Gozo will not fully benefit from Malta’s full integration with the European Union. |
| On the basis of this Government belief and in this | context, during a meeting held at the Ministry for Gozo on June 20th 2001 between the Minister for Gozo, His Excellency the Ambassador for the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities, representatives of the DG Regio, DG Enlargement and officials from the Ministry for Gozo and from the Regional Policy Director at the Office of the Prime Minister, it was agreed that a study to highlight the special needs of Gozo should be undertaken. The study will assist the Maltese Authorities in general and the Ministry for Gozo in particular to better address Gozo’ specific peculiarities during the accession negotiations which are being held with the European Union. |
| The study has been commission by the European | Commission and and the Maltese Government has set up a steering committee within the Ministry for Gozo to work with the experts on this project. The steering committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary Ministry for Gozo and includes representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister (Regional Policy Directorate), the Ministry for Economic Services and the Ministry of Finance. The experts, who will be mainly based in Gozo, have now come to Malta and the study was launched recently at a meeting held with the Minister for Gozo and His Excellency the Ambassador for the Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities. |
| The Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, stated | that "the study aims at establishing in a scientific, objective fashion the circumstances Gozo is operating in and will highlight the most significant hurdles which must be superceded if Gozo is to catch up without unnecessary delays with the high standards of living the EU offers to its members". |
| The study will also identify areas which will require | special attention for Gozo to take full advantage of EU membership. It will help to address the disadvantages which the economic, social and cultural life on Gozo must come to terms with and will also help to identify obstacles which hinder private initiatives to develop. |
| "The funding of the European Commission confirms | once again that it attaches priority to the specific needs of smaller communities including the island of Gozo", Minister Debono said. |
| Once the most significant challenges and weaknesses | have been identified, the study can be expected to suggest specific policy initiatives at national level and through EDIS policies and programmes which will help neutralize the inherent disadvantages of double insularity, thereby providing a level playing field for everyone. |
| By proposing practical measures, the study will help | the development process on the island to catch up with that on the larger sister island of Malta and with that for the rest of the European Union. |
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