The EU needs new structures allowing for the flourishing of islands like Gozo

The EU needs new structures that are more favourable for communities like those living in Gozo, thus allowing for their survival and flourishing, said former Prime Minister and Maltese MEP Alfred Sant when he voted in favour of a resolution to accelerate political steps to improve the situation in rural, mountainous and remote areas. Dr Sant said that through the case of the island of Gozo, EU entities are too often conveniently forgetting about such rights. Examples can be given through new funding structures and policy frameworks – rather than assisting these communities, new proposals are eating in what had been granted.
“For years, I have defended the right of citizens living in these areas to have equal conditions as those in other parts of Europe. They also have the right to benefit from smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the same food quality, the same levels of social inclusion, gender equality, job creation, digitalisation and an efficient internal market.”
The Maltese MEP said the rights of these citizens are on paper defended by the Treaties: specifically Article 174 states that the Union shall aim at reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions.

Maltese Version – L-UE TEĦTIEĠ STRUTTURI LI JAGĦTU SPINTA LIL GŻEJJER BĦAL GĦAWDEX

L-Unjoni Ewropea teħtieġ strutturi li jiffavurixxu komunitajiet bħal dawk li jgħixu fil-gżira ta’ Għawdex u li jippermettu l-għejxien u l-iżvilupp ta’ dawn il-gżejjer, qal Alfred Sant meta vvota favur riżoluzzjoni biex jittieħdu passi politiċi li jtejbu s-sitwazzjoni f’żoni rurali, muntanjużi u remoti. Dr Sant qal li l-entitajiet Ewropej ħafna drabi jsibuha komda li jinsew id-drittijiet ta’ każijiet partikolari bħal Għawdex.
L-MEP Malti qal li jekk niflu l-qafas politiku u l-istrutturi l-ġodda għal finanzjament – aktar milli jassistu lil dawn il-komunitajiet, il-proposti l-ġodda jnaqqru dak li kien diġa` nkiseb.
“Għal ħafna snin, iddefendejt id-drittijiet taċ-ċittadini li jgħixu f’dawn iż-żoni biex ikollhom kundizzjonijiet ugwali ta’ dawk li jgħixu fi bnadi oħra tal-Ewropa. Dawn għandhom id-dritt igawdu minn tkabbir sostenibbli u inklussiż, mill-istess kwalita` ta’ ikel, l-istess livell ta’ inklużjoni soċjali, ugwaljanza bejn is-sessi, ħolqien ta’ impjiegi, diġitalizzazzjoni u suq intern effiċjenti.”
Dr Sant qal li d-drittijiet ta’ dawn iċ-ċittadini huma mħarsa mit-trattati: speċifikament f’Artiklu 174 li jiddikjara li l-Unjoni għandha l-għan li tnaqqas id-differenzi bejn il-livelli ta’ żvilupp f’bosta żoni speċjalment dawk li baqgħu l-aktar lura.