A majority of Gozitans believe their island will change for the better if it is linked to Malta by a bridge or tunnel, an EU survey has found.

The results show that 54 per cent of Gozitans believe a physical link will benefit their island while less than a quarter believes Gozo will change for the worse.

The survey, conducted among Gozitans, was commissioned by the European Commission and its results will be discussed during a seminar on Gozo to be held on Friday.

The bridge idea was resuscitated in the last administration when a pre-feasibility study was commissioned to assess whether a tunnel link was possible.

The matter picked up steam after the election when the Labour Party signed a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese construction company to carry out a feasibility study on a bridge.

But even if talk of a physical link has captured local people’s imagination since the 1970s, Gozitans have more immediate concerns.

Employment is by far the biggest problem Gozitans have today and for the future, it seems.

The survey found that 73 per cent identified employment as Gozo’s biggest problem with the number climbing to 75 per cent when asked what they believed was the biggest problem for future generations.

Health was identified by 19 per cent of Gozitans as their biggest problem with education coming in third at 11 per cent.

The two sectors also featured in second and third place as Gozo’s biggest problems for future generations.

The survey also questioned Gozitans about the European Parliament and the impact of EU accession.

A majority believe Gozo has changed for the better after EU accession. More than 60 per cent of respondents said change was good or very good while only five per cent said change was for the worse or a lot worse since EU accession.

Less than a quarter did not know whether change in Gozo was for better or for worse.

When asked the reason for their choice, 39 per cent based their positive judgement on the projects undertaken in Gozo.

Employment is by far the biggest problem Gozitans have today and for the future

But despite the positive outlook, only 30 per cent of Gozitans feel they are well represented in the European Parliament.

The survey found that 39 per cent felt they were not well represented while 31 per cent had no opinion on the matter.

Probed further 41 per cent gave no specific reason why they felt Gozo was not well represented but 35 per cent said MEPs did not raise issues of concern for Gozitans in the European Parliament.

Survey findings will be discussed during an EU Parliament public dialogue on October 18 in the run up to the European Parliament elections.

The dialogue will be at Mużew il-Ħaġar at Pjazza San Ġorġ, Victoria, starting at 5.30pm. To reserve a seat call 2777 2777.

Islanders lack information on EP

The European Parliament building in Brussels. Photo: Francois Lenoir/Reuters

The European Parliament does not manage EU-funded projects but that is what 16 per cent of Gozitans believe.

A quarter admitted not knowing the EP’s role while 15 per cent believe it plans the Budget of member states.

Less than half (43 per cent) of Gozitans correctly identified the EP’s job to discuss and pass legislation.

The lack of knowledge about the EP was also evident when respondents were asked where Maltese MEPs sit during parliamentary sessions.

Only 27 per cent correctly said MEPs sit with colleagues from other countries affiliated to the same EU political party.

While 36 per cent did not know where MEPs sat, 22 per cent said they were grouped according to their country of origin and 12 per cent according to Maltese political parties.

On a lighter note, four per cent said they thought MEPs sat wherever a seat was available.

But Malta’s struggle to obtain a sixth seat did not go unnoticed. More than half of Gozitans (53 per cent) correctly said there were six Maltese MEPs. Even so, a quarter did not know and 13 per cent said Malta had five seats.

Methodology

• The information was collected by means of a telephone survey commissioned by the European Parliament Office in Malta. A sample size of 300 was used, consisting of individuals aged 18 years and over. The margin of error is of plus or minus 5.5 per cent.