In an impromptu speech outside the Arkadia Shopping Centre in Victoria, Dr Gonzi said the PN government had always recognised the importance of Gozo as a tourist attraction and cited the massive amount of investment the island has received over the past decades. He also revealed that the first days of June saw an impressive 10 per cent rise in passengers and vehicles crossing over to Gozo when compared to last year. Dr Gonzi also mentioned the closing of the Qortin Landfill in Xaghra that had further enhanced Gozo’s potential as a tourist haven.
The radio debate on RTK was chaired by Josef Bonello. When asked on the importance of the forthcoming European Parliament elections, Dr Gonzi said the political parties were there to emphasize democracy and the past years had seen a drastic change in campaigning and the growth of the media. He also cited the importance of submitting graciously to the majority.
Mr Xuereb then referred Dr Gonzi to his leadership accession and asked him whether he felt that he had been elected when the PN was at its lowest ebb. The Prime Minister reiterated that this was indeed a challenging period but he would not shirk away from any sort of challenge and with this new beginning, the country would begin shaking itself out of its torpor. He mentioned various events throughout his short tenure such as the new Cabinet, the reforms at PBS and Air Malta together with the debate on welfare. While accepting that the current deficit is indeed a problem, Dr Gonzi castigated the Labour Party for choosing a scaremongering campaign and defended his record by pointing to the positive economic indicators and sounded a warning note on the current explosion in the price of oil.
Responding to a question on the perceived weaknesses of the European Parliament, Dr Gonzi insisted that this was an important forum in the decision-making process. He also stressed the importance of a vast new market for Malta and mentioned EU treaties with China and the USA where products coming from the Union would be given priority. The Prime Minister also insisted that those who had Malta’s real interests at heart should vote first for the eight PN candidates so that the fifth seat would not be jeopardised by an independent candidate who could be elected without a quota. Mr Xuereb questioned Dr Gonzi about the World Bank Report to which the Prime Minster replied that this was not a confidential report but was supposed to be confidential among the social partners. He mentioned the extensive discussions on this subject that took place at various MCESD meetings and said the report was only advisory and did not contain government policy. He appealed for the welfare issue not to be politicised.
Dr Gonzi also took callers questions on illegal immigration, Sea Malta and the MCESD. Dr Toni Abela phoned in to challenge the Prime Minister on the use of this body with Dr Gonzi firmly asserting his position on this important forum for debate. On the Sea Malta question, the Prime Minister insisted that reforms were necessary to stop the continuing financial haemorrhage at the company.
The PN’s programme came to an end with the final weekly press conference held at the Ta’ Cenc Hotel in Sannat. The discussion was initiated by Joanna Drake who spoke about competitivity and the importance of better standards to survive in a globalised world. Prof. Joe Friggieri outlined the five points of the PN electoral manifesto and gave brief but succinct descriptions of each issue.
In his speech, Dr Gonzi said that the country will be voting in a week’s time and that a new page will be written in Malta’s history after the 1st of May. He said that Malta is constantly gaining new rights and benefits from the EU, citing the recent reduction in prices and the elimination of import levies to the tune of Lm9 million. The Prime Minister then focused on Gozo saying that the island is an important element in our economy and that the PN government also believed in the island by continually investing to provide opportunities for Gozitans.
The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of the closure of the Qortin dump and also spoke about the importance of Malta’s observer MEPs who had influenced the EPP to carry an amendment that favoured Gozo as a region. Dr Gonzi concluded by stating that it was important to vote for the eight PN candidates as these were the only ones who were credible, capable and consistent on the EU.
Responding to a question by The Malta Independent on Sunday, Dr Gonzi said it was extremely important to protect Gozo’s craft and agricultural heritage through investment and the active promotion of such assets. He stated that the local product was indeed competitive and that we should continue to strive forward with concerted policies in this area. Asked on the lack of debate on the future EU Constitution, the Prime Minister said that much had already been said about this issue in the referendum campaign.