Nothing satisfies politicians more than seeing their proposals achieve their purpose, and even more so when they lead to excellent results nationwide for current and future generations.

Five years ago this week, a historic majority of Maltese and Gozitans chose to change the country’s political direction, opting for a solid economy that guarantees a fair distribution of wealth. It has since been an exciting and constant journey of countless successes in all sectors, whether economic or social. The steady step with which we have acquired international recognition and respect reflects a higher standard of living, based on equality and equity in line with Labour’s tangible stand in favour of the very essence of social justice.

It is a pride to note that, in my 15 years in Parliament and now in my fourth mandate, the last five years have given me the greatest satisfaction to serve the country in a dynamic team led by Dr Joseph Muscat. Understandably, the people’s trust is an honour, but it is essentially an encouragement to work harder and with more determination.

Labour's reconfirmation

It was no surprise that, against all traditional traits of incumbency, our first four years in government earned us an even greater mandate last June. This was followed, week after week, with further international certifications of excellence, despite an incessant campaign by those same people that cannot yet understand that, in reality, they missed grossly when in power and have not recovered from their bitterness since.

It is even sadder that one dares to attribute Labour’s successes to an electorate that lacks proper values. I cannot conceive of such absurd statements when, meanwhile, further positive results come flooding in about the people’s own high optimism of their own wellbeing and the country’s future. It is no wonder that this week again we have learned that we had reached a 6.6 per cent economic growth rate, even larger than was forecast by experts. And all this at a time when we budgeted for wage and pension increases, without any new taxes – a first in Malta’s history – and still achieved a surplus, month after month.

Gozo’s own firsts

In this distinct best time for the country, success keeps on smiling for Gozo as well, with this week’s news that the island’s green credentials have been given a boost by being named best destination of the Mediterranean. At a sustainable tourism awards ceremony held during the ITB fair earlier this week in Berlin, Gozo collected the Green Destinations award. This important award was given according to criteria established by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

It is to be noted that this global organisation considers the highest-rated winners that will qualify for the annual top 100 shortlist, which is then whittled down to 32 finalists across 10 categories. Gozo’s clean waters, heritage sites and the eco-Gozo 2020 strategy were all cited by Green Destinations, which also claimed that ‘most of the local food and dishes in Gozo are 100 per cent organic’.

While welcoming the award, I will ensure that the Gozo Ministry will continue to raise Gozo’s profile internationally and, together with all stakeholders, we will strive to sustain this high ranking in the years to come. Last year was already a record year for the island’s tourism sector, with 13 per cent more tourists than in the previous year. The long list of initiatives taken by the Ministry in the cultural and thematic events, which ran without interruption from summer into autumn and winter, saw a considerable increase in tourism during the last two quarters of 2017. Our pace was sustained with carnival, Valentine’s Day and now the pending Easter festivities clearly showing that innovative planning and hard work yield excellent results.

The Gozitan natural resilience should regard this award as an opportunity where we are all called to increase our efforts to ensure Gozo achieves more by becoming a very distinct all-year destination. Our dedicated teamwork should be as much of an asset as the thousands of visitors are a full part of Gozo's success. We need to keep in mind that customers are the most important visitors to our island as they are the reason for our work, hand-in-hand with everything that Gozitans themselves deserve to have.

Dwejra Opportunity Fund

It was certainly sad that this week we recall collapse of the Azure Window into the sea a year ago after being battered by strong winds. The following day, the government had promised an international initiative to keep alive the memory of the iconic national landmark and right on the first anniversary of the sad loss, a legal notice was published this week outlining regulations for the Dwejra Opportunity Fund.

The official notice specifies that company or individual donations to this Fund will be eligible for the same tax benefits as those given under the Cultural Heritage Act. The government will undertake that, at the end of each financial year, it will pay into the fund the equivalent of the amount that has been paid into it by individuals or companies. The Fund will be administered by a Committee – the Dwejra Opportunity Fund Committee – composed of people who are working in, or dedicated to, the field of cultural heritage in Gozo.

It is true that the Azure Window now rests in the memory of many through thousands of photographs and films but, through this new fund, its legacy will remain with us for future generations together with the natural heritage for which Gozo is renowned. For this purpose, in fact, the fund can also be used to finance research on natural sites and other historical places in Gozo such as Borg Għarib, the Għar Gerduf catacombs and the Roman Villa at Ramla.

With the Azure Window confined to history books, today the Gozo Ministry is recalling the holistic beauty of Dwejra, with a half-day’s worth of educational and sports activities in the area that is particularly rich in its geological formations, flora and fauna.

Gozitan ART IN BRUSSELS

It was an honour to open an art exhibition of fellow Gozitan artists Manuel Farrugia, Christopher Saliba, Rachel Galea, Anthony Caruana and Josef Mizzi at the European Parliament building in Brussels. It was the initiative of former Labour Prime Minister and MEP Dr Alfred Sant to organise the event, representing our tiny island-region that brims with artistic and creative talents.

Together with their talents, our five artists convey their own message to society and through their exhibits, their individual deep thoughts and observations can best come across to the wider world. Works of art are not only a product of the artists’ love of their talents, but also – and most importantly – a message (or a wake-up call) that originates from their relationship with the environment and realities that surround them. Their work brings out points of view that are often ignored or neglected by the rest of the community.

Whatever the genre or medium, culture essentially links the aspirations and beliefs of our ancestors to our own times and to the expectations of future generations – not only to admire and preserve but also to treasure and to learn. Exhibitions are the appropriate forum where all this can best come across from the artist’s studio to the wider world. The five Gozitan artists express a vivid link to a human reality that ‘no man is an island’. Indeed, they come – we come – from a unique island forming part of the Maltese archipelago in the very centre of the Mediterranean Sea, the cradle of major civilisations, inspiring and transforming human philosophies and beliefs across the European and other continents throughout the centuries.

Gozo’s vast cultural heritage must have been the primary inspiration for the paintings now exhibited in Brussels. They should therefore portray and promote the beauty of the natural thing – Gozo and its resilient and creative people.