A compromise solution for the proposed university in Marsascala should satisfy those who are “not interested in absolutisms”, according to the Prime Minister.

The comment was a clear reference to the leaders of Front Ħarsien ODZ, a new lobby group that has called on the government to abandon plans to build the university in an outside development zone.

Joseph Muscat said the government was still evaluating different solutions proposed by various groups and individuals, including the possibility of splitting the campus in two.

“Part of the campus can remain in Marsascala and another part could be located elsewhere,” Dr Muscat said when asked whether the compromise would exclude Żonqor Point.

He was speaking yesterday after briefing the members of the Malta-EU Steering Action Committee on this week’s summits on the Greek crisis and migration.

On Sunday Dr Muscat said “a common sense compromise” could be found over the controversial university, initially proposed on 90,000 square metres of land in Żonqor. The area is an outside development zone and had been earmarked as a natural park in the 2006 local plan. Last Saturday more than 3,000 people marched in Valletta to object to the proposed location at Żonqor.

“I believe that when decision time comes... all those not interested in absolutisms but interested in a goodwill compromise should be satisfied,” he said.

Asked about a protest walk in favour of the project that was being advertised on Facebook for next Sunday, Dr Muscat said he was not informed of it.

However, he called on the organisers to cancel it since it was not appropriate to hold another protest.

“The government heard the message of those in favour of this project, of those who have reservations about ODZ development and others who wish the project to be in Marsascala but re-dimensioned,” Dr Muscat said.

Asked whether he would be publishing the agreement signed with the Sadeen Group, the Jordanian construction company behind the project, Dr Muscat said the government would “do everything at the appropriate time”.

kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com