While some are entrapped in overstretched attempts to tarnish the country’s reputation, the Labour government incessantly strives in all international fora to attract further massive investment for the creation of more jobs and prosperity for our people.
This week I have represented the government at yet another international meeting in Naples, addressing the Mediterranean Regional Stakeholder Conference on the Blue Economy. Malta and Gozo have thrived as a maritime nation and therefore we have the required credentials to speak about and push the Blue Economy agenda. At the UFM stakeholders meeting in Naples, I conveyed our strong commitment to the agenda in order to create jobs as a result of having safer and secure seas and a cleaner Mediterranean Basin.
The Maltese Presidency of the EU Council, which ended in June, highlighted the importance of the maritime sector in the Mediterranean region and emphasised the positive effects good management can have on the growth of an economy also based on maritime-related activities – the Blue Economy. Colleagues from around the region understood how we view the link between collaboration among Mediterranean partners and the effective implementation of this initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy.
Malta’s EU Presidency
Malta is the smallest country in the EU, but during our EU Presidency we sent a strong message regarding the need for sustained commitment to the Euro-Mediterranean agenda. Malta’s geographical position in the centre of this region, as well as our natural harbours and established ports, has enabled us to thrive as a maritime nation over the years.
During our Presidency we emphasised the need to coordinate our efforts on a number of fronts. Improving sustainable investments and jobs, promoting bio-based innovative industries and services, ensuring energy efficiency and water adequacy, together with a healthy marine environment, were all on our agenda for the EU between January and June this year.
We are fully aware, however, that unless all the countries in the Mediterranean basin are on board, any efforts by individual countries will be useless. While reiterating this point in my speech, I added that it is imperative that we all understand and appreciate that unless we have healthy seas, we cannot have healthy maritime economies. Government and stakeholders from all sectors need to make strong commitments to sustainable action and adequate investment in innovative solutions towards such an agenda.
Our collective commitment
Malta fully recognises the importance of cooperation and the exchange of best practices to improve the quality of education in order to meet the supply and demand of maritime skills and the existing skill gaps – which, we have to admit, is quite a challenge. We need to exploit the full potential of the relevant skills available, which are catalysts for knowledge, competitiveness and innovation, in order to overcome the challenges and turn them into opportunities for research and development in the maritime business in both the Mediterranean and beyond.
As a government with a vision for future generations, we strongly believe that innovation, jobs and growth can be achieved through further support for the development of medium, small and micro enterprises in this sector of the economy. Furthermore, we encourage more efficient combinations between funding instruments, better targeting of funds, the facilitation of trans-national funding and investments and the use of suitable investment platforms in order to encourage cooperation opportunities in specific projects and initiatives.
The Mediterranean region is particularly renowned for its flourishing maritime tourism sector, which needs to be sustained through innovative and diversified strategies. Malta is capitalising on its natural characteristics to strengthen our coastal and maritime tourism and we are ready to use our experience as a platform for cooperation.
Our views for Gozo
In this regard, intervention at both regional and local level can be particularly beneficial. With this is view, in fact, the Ministry for Gozo has embarked on a project to upgrade and develop the fisheries infrastructure in Marsalforn, one of our fishing ports and a major coastal and maritime tourism hub.
This project is not only useful but indeed crucial for the survival and development of the local artisanal fishing community. As a result of this intervention, fishermen operating from this port now have a safer and more modern working environment. In addition, it has been calculated that the port is around 10 per cent more energy efficient than it was before, thus demonstrating a perfect synergy between sustainable economic activities and environmental measures.
Further interventions that the Gozo Ministry is envisaging include the building of a breakwater in Marsalforn to provide a coastal defence against storms. Another project will be the reorganisation of Mġarr Harbour, which is the main gateway to Gozo. This initiative will promote a more efficient and sustainable management of the ever-increasing ferry traffic between the islands.
Safety priorities
Maintaining a safe and secure maritime space is another core priority for Malta, considering our exposed position at the crossroads of the Mediterranean. We have repeatedly highlighted in all fora the importance of improving real-time response to emergencies and protecting the seas and oceans against piracy, human smuggling, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing and other illegal activities. This requires a stronger commitment and political will by all countries and organisations concerned for the necessary structures to be effective.
Malta and Gozo are confident that, although the Initiative discussed at the Naples conference focused on the western Mediterranean region and the 10 countries pertaining to the 5+5 Dialogue, its scope of action and potential benefits could easily extend beyond this sub-basin. It has long been stated that the whole continent will be more secure if the central basin between the two continents achieves higher security through more tangible cooperation.
In my speech, I emphasised that it is imperative that these objectives and policies are converted into concrete action because the alternative is that there will be no scope for this initiative. All governments and institutions are to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the initiative for the benefit of the region and beyond.
Our strong credentials
Historically, Malta and Gozo have always been at the forefront of support for all measures and policies that in some way envisage cooperation between Mediterranean countries. In fact, the importance of the Mediterranean dimension needs to be kept alive.
Our country is renowned for its ability to create and serve as a bridge between Europe and Northern Africa. The initiative we discussed at the Naples conference is congruent with this approach and undoubtedly provides the ideal platform for cooperation and knowledge-sharing among our Mediterranean partners.
Malta and Gozo are the heart of the Mediterranean basin, which is unique for several reasons. It is the home of various cultures and civilisations which, over the centuries, have spread globally and inspired humanity. Unfortunately, this basin has also experienced terrible human tragedies and is also, sadly, the cradle of illegal and unregulated human activities. Consequently, any measures intended to improve good governance in the region – and that somehow address these undesirable activities – are undoubtedly welcome and necessary.