Almost 1,000 Gozitan young people are pursuing their studies at the University of Malta, one fifth of University’s population, Gozo University Group (GUG) officials told former Prime Minister Alfred Sant. The Gozitan students shared their concerns and ambitions during an informal meeting with the Maltese MEP, namely connectivity problems between Gozo and Malta, job opportunities in Gozo, higher costs for accomodation in the University area and public transport between Ċirkewwa and the University of Malta.

GUG students noted there are limited job opportunities in the financial service in Gozo and noted that fibre optic upgrading may encourage more companies to establish base in Gozo. GUG students said a fast ferry service between Gozo and Malta would be the best solution to ease and save time crossing from Gozo to Malta. Giving their views on the  proposed tunnel between Gozo and Malta, they said that even if it was a success, by the time it is completed, their studies would surely have come to an end.  They also complained of overcrowed buses from Cirkewwa to University .

Alfred Sant said EU islands like Gozo need state aid. Such aid will not effect the EU’s single market, but the EU still doesn’t accept this.  He said that if he is elected, he will continue to  focus on matters that relate to Gozitan interests.

“I will continue to focus on matters related to Gozitan interests such as EU funding for Gozo but beyond that too, matters related to project financing for farmers, smes and artisanal initiatives in Gozo. One major aim would be to ensure that as much as possible, EU policies for the single market, do not end as one size fits all exercise.”

The EU needs new structures that are more favourable for communities like those living in Gozo, thus allowing for their survival and flourishing. Depopulation in small EU islands like Gozo will become irreversible unless exceptional measures are allowed which do not necessarily comply with wider EU rules and policies. Even now, with economic growth running at over 4 per cent per annum in the Maltese islands, young people in Gozo tell me they have no future in their island.

Alfred Sant argued in favour of a deeper economic intervention of the public sector in partnership with private business to create new enterprises, new jobs especially for young people. Digital ventures, financial services, artisanal and farming enterprises, health services could all be targeted to reverse depopulation in Gozo, both when the national economy is performing healthily and when it is weak.