Participants were also briefed on issues specific to Gozo during a day-long visit to the Gozo Ministry. The programme for the visit was drawn up, and local arrangements taken care of, by the Staff Development Organisation (SDO) within the Office of the Prime Minister.

The European Commission regularly sends staff members on familiarisation visits to all EU member states. The aim is to give staff a better understanding of how governments work across the EU and of the issues and problems individual member states are facing. At present, the focus of such visits is on the 10 new member states following the enlargement of the EU in May 2004.

In the evaluation of their visit to Malta, participants indicated that it had been both rewarding and informative. They also expressed their appreciation to speakers and to SDO staff members for making it possible.