Speaking during a meeting organised by the Gozitan Forum Zaghzagh Laburisti, Dr Sant said the MLP needed to make its voice heard with other European Socialists to get its message across. He said: “We need to ensure that Gozo is treated as a separate region to safeguard the employment of Gozitans who work in tourism, agriculture, fishing and crafts. Dr Sant said the MLP wanted to set up a unit to monitor the Gozo situation to ensure it is prepared for both the drawbacks of European Union membership and the opportunities that will be on offer.

Dr Sant said that while this course of action could be perceived as a difficult one to follow, it was time that people started facing up to the reality of the situation.

MLP deputy leader Charles Mangion said that by voting Labour candidates into the European Parliament, the MLP would be able to implement the decisions taken during the November 2003 Labour general conference.

The MLP’s other deputy leader, Michael Falzon said it was the duty of all MLP supporters to vote for candidates in the European elections because the outcome would affect the future of the country.

MLP secretary general Jason Azzopardi and secretary general Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi also addressed the meeting.