More people are experiencing and understanding that the country's successes are meaningful on personal and family levels. The overall performance in Malta and Gozo is felt by everyone, even before we have seen the latest statistics which keep coming in on a regular basis. Apart from confirming people's own experience, official figures prove that the negative and systematic campaigns - both locally and more fiercely around Brussels - are not achieving their desired aim. 

Highest surplus

This week Eurostat has again confirmed that, in the first quarter this year, Malta registered the highest surplus in its public finances of all EU countries. Equalled only by The Netherlands, Malta's surplus peaked to 2.5 per cent, while the average figure across the EU was a deficit of 0.5 per cent. This week's statement means that we have been registering a surplus for the past two-and-a-half years - ie since the end of 2015.

The ongoing surplus is even more meaningful when we recall that up to the last three months of 2012, PN-led governments used to register a chronic 4.6 per cent deficit. More significantly, another Eurostat statement establishes Malta as achieving the fourth highest fall in public debt of all EU member states. During the first three months this year, the Labour Government has succeeded in cutting down the country's debt by a further 6.2 per cent of GDP, surpassing the EU average which stood at only 2.1 per cent.

It is hard to believe that some factions within the Opposition have the cheek to attempt further anti-national manoeuvres, when it is now quite clear that Dr Joseph Muscat's government has reduced the national debt to 50.4 per cent of GDP from the 71.1 per cent at which it stood until Labour took over in 2013. This also means that, while achieving the highest surplus among all EU states and with all the multi-million major projects in hand, Malta now has the lowest public debt since 1998.

Gozo projects

Our island is also having its share of major projects. A call for tenders for a €10 million project has been issued this week for what can be described as an unprecedented investment in the quality and security of a potable water supply for the island of Gozo. This investment in a modern reverse osmosis plant at Ħondoq will result in the island being completely self-sufficient in the provision of water.

The new installation, which we first announced in February, will be on the site of the former sea-water distillation plant built in the 1960s. It will involve state-of-the-art technology and will also, if necessary, be able to supply water to Malta. Experts from the Water Services Corporation confirm that the new plant will have the potential to produce 9,000 cubic metres of water per day.

The Gozo Ministry is committed to ensuring that Gozo is second to none in respect of the quality and security of its water supply. The project is a gem in itself and it will be to the highest environmental standards, in terms of both the surrounding environment and energy efficiency. The tender exercise closes in mid-September. This is a solidly compact Government, working as a team in which the Gozo Ministry ensures full support for other major projects on the island, pledged in the electoral programme, overwhelmingly approved by the highest majority ever a year ago.

The Malta-Gozo tunnel is another massive project, about which an open consultation for the public has been launched by the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change. Members of the public are being invited to submit written comments on matters they wish to see included in the terms of reference. Submissions must be received by 15 August 2018 and can be sent either by email to [email protected] or by post to: EIA Team, Environment & Resources Authority, Hexagon House, Spencer Hill, Marsa, MRS 1441.

Record crossings

Diligent planning and the regular innovative tourist-oriented weekly events we are introducing are constantly paying dividends. Here again, official figures released this week confirm the success felt across the tourist industry in Gozo. A tota1of 1,535,414 passengers travelled between Malta and Gozo on Gozo Channel ferries during the second quarter of this year, an increase of 8.5 per cent on last year.

There was also an increase in the number of vehicles, with 423,152 making the trip - an increase of 7.4 per cent over the same months last year - and the Gozo Channel Company made 5,776 crossings, an increase of 4.2 per cent on 2017. During the first six months this year 2,656,415 passengers travelled between the two islands, an increase of 8.2 per cent compared with the same period last year.  Describing it as a huge success would be an understatement.

Major EU event in Nadur

This weekend, the village of Nadur is hosting the Annual Meeting of the European Charter of Rural Communities and yesterday I addressed the 200 delegates, including around 20 mayors representing rural communities from among all 28 EU member states. A meeting of this dimension on the island shows that the Ministry's vision is bearing fruit, with Gozo at the heart of the conference.

The delegates will also have the opportunity to visit various cultural and historic sites across both islands with the full support of the Gozo Ministry and the Valletta '18 Foundation. I must congratulate Nadur's mayor and local council - who represent Malta in this event, for the interesting initiative and for their collaboration with the Gozo Ministry to ensure that all the planning and logistical arrangements achieve the desired success.

In my speech, I emphasised that this Charter is one of the most eloquent expressions of what the Union is all about: providing and sustaining the necessary structures for better understanding, cooperation and solidarity among people from different member states. It has been said time and time again that the highest achievement the European Union could ever attain is that of being fully functional - not only relevant - for the well-being of millions of people amount all 28 member states.

The Maltese Government has been taking a leading role towards this fundamental aim, working hard to translate all political and economic decisions taken by the highest EU institutions into tangible social benefits for all European citizens. In this scenario, the Charter of European Rural Communities is a very useful vehicle that removes more barriers for better understanding, discovering different cultures and sharing hands-on experiences that should lead to a healthy cooperation.

Final notes

The annual Police Day was celebrated this week in Gozo, with a display programme at Il-Menqa in Marsalforn, to mark the 204th anniversary since the inception of the Malta Police Force. The programme included a march by the Malta Police Band, followed by displays by the Precision Drill Team and the Police Dogs Section. All responsible citizens should appreciate the hard work carried out by the police in their vital service to the nation.

A first-ever beer festival was recently organised in Żebbuġ by its local team, Żebbuġ Rovers FC.  The Gozo Ministry gladly extended its support to the event which turned out to be a successful occasion for the local community.

'Gozo Project' is gaining speed, with roadworks completed in Triq Qortin in Nadur, Triq Għajn Ħosna in Xaghra, Triq Għajn Qatet in Victoria and parts of Triq Żewwieqa in Ghajnsielem and Triq il-Lunzjata in Kercem, with around 18 other roads awaiting their turn.

In the last week, the world of culture in Gozo has lost one of its major stalwarts - prolific writer, poet and historian Anton F. Attard. His immense scholarly contributions to research, literature and folklore will perpetuate his skills and tenacity to enrich and promote descriptive documentations through a vast range of publications. A teacher by profession, Anton held high public posts with his defined commitment. He served in the trade-union sector and was also a Labour candidate in 2003. He leaves a wealth of knowledge for posterity and a dear family, to whom I offer my deepest sympathies.