Why Gozo will vote yes

No one was surprised that businessmen, industrialists and people engaged in trade in Gozo overwhelmingly supported a yes decision in the surveys conducted by the Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Tourism Association.

The arguments for an affirmative vote in Gozo are so strong that only a token few expressed a negative view. This is a clear indication that the generators of jobs, the risk-takers and creators of wealth look very optimistically at the beckoning future of Gozo and Malta within the European Union.

This optimism is also expected to be reflected in the vote which the Gozitan electorate will cast on March 8. For the first time, the bi-millennial tradition of governance in Gozo will be officially recognised by a supranational body.

The EU will recognise Gozo as an island region with all the benefits and financial guarantees for the future.

The first concrete step to give Gozo a regional perspective was taken in May 1987 when the first minister for Gozo was appointed.

With a full voice in the Cabinet, Gozo was assured of focused attention in all matters appertaining to it.

With a minister living in Gozo and devoting full-time attention to the Gozo portfolio, the island became a model of development for the country.

The effect of all this on the people of Gozo was tremendous. This was particularly evident in education, especially tertiary education. Unfortunately, the road to regionality was stopped when the voice of Gozo in the Cabinet was silenced for two years from 1996.

This unwelcome interruption in Gozo's governance had a deleterious effect and had it lasted longer would have put us back to the dark years of the 1980s.

With the resumption of direct access to the Cabinet, Gozo resumed its progress and prepared itself for the accession to the EU. Now Gozo's voice will also be heard in Brussels.

All this is appreciated by the Gozitans who realise that after accession Gozo will not only partake from the benefits resulting from Malta's membership of the EU but will receive the additional advantage of a regional status with a guarantee for Gozo's economy in the future.

The Gozitans note with particular pride that a declaration on the island region of Gozo will be annexed to the Treaty of Accession which Prime Minister Fenech Adami will sign at the foot of the Parthenon on April 16.

On the human and social levels, the Gozitans look forward to a future full of opportunities particularly, but not exclusively, for young people in education and development.

In a globalised world, Gozo will form part of the largest economic bloc, without losing its individuality which, in fact, will be strengthened because of its regional status.

No wonder that Gozo will vote yes on March 8.