EU Affairs
Report shows Gozo has voice in EU - MEP Busuttil
By gozo
Mar 22, 2007 - 1:03:46 PM

The European Commission has been called on to cover interests and needs of small islands like Gozo through its wide range of operations in various sectors.

Speaking during a debate on small islands in the European Parliament, Maltese MEP Dr. Simon Busuttil made reference to a report by European Popular Party Francesco Musotto, which analyzes the state of islands which suffer permanent disadvantages because of their geographical realities. Dr. Busuttil said that “the report is good news for Gozo because it shows that it too has a voice in the European Union (EU)”.

The report was approved with a majority in plenary session of the Parliament.

In his intervention Dr. Busuttil said the report is very important because it gives a voice to all European islands. He reiterated that the European Union (EU) is to see that small islands are safeguarded on every initiative the EU undertakes and that rules concerning state aid are to change to be more flexible when applied to small islands, such as Gozo.

The final report, as adopted, includes eleven emends, set forward by Dr. Busuttil.