Alternattiva Demokratika has said that it welcomes the Prime Minister's stated intention to partially implement AD policy for the benefit of Gozo and its prospects for employment.

The Green Party Leader, Dr. Harry Vassallo said, "The fact that the Prime Minister mentions an unspecified 'plan' for Gozo to be powered completely by alternative sources of energy is a tentative step in the right direction. Predictably, however, the Prime Minister is following the PN's old and superficial strategy of trying to totally ignore the pivotally positive influence and unrivalled authority of the Green Party in this sphere of expertise given that it was Alternattiva Demokratika's publicly avowed vision to transform Gozo into an ecological island in the first place."

Dr. Vassallo added that during the pre-budget talks, Alternattiva Demokratika had already proposed the establishment of a Lm 2 million venture capital fund for the development of Gozo as an eco-island, a proposal recently endorsed by Italian Environment Minister, Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio, who heads the Italian Green Party.

Dr. Harry Vassallo asserted, "Given Alternattiva Demokratika's vast international network of contacts and peerless primacy regarding the Green economics of alternative energy sources, an elected MP from AD will be very well equipped to nurture and promote Gozo's green and natural environment as the key element in its image. The Government has signally failed to address long standing economic issues which are easy and cost effective to solve. Now, on the eve of a general election, the PN is realizing that Gozitans are fed up of rhetoric but they demand action."

"The time has come for hardball, which will distinctly distinguish between the recent opportunist MLP and PN 'turquoise tree' brigade and real Greens with impeccable credentials, who mean business."

"Alternattiva Demokratika's strategy for Gozo to be powered completely by alternative sources of energy would create hundreds of Gozo-specific posts, while adding value to Gozo as one of the unique islands in the world. As an eco-island Gozo, is destined to become an international pioneer in alternative energy by the establishment of an additional visitor venue, generating employment for technicians, engineers and marketing and hospitality staff, while driving a campaign to reduce energy bills for every household and business in Gozo"

AD Gozo Spokesperson and Secretary General of the Green Party, Victor Galea, said that, "Today, even those who have gained from the feudal favours system which cripples Gozo, realise that they are sliding downhill with everybody else. Gozo is ripe for a reform, which will propel it from an abandoned periphery of Malta to its most successful region. Although not yet represented in parliament, Alternattiva Demokratika, is already significantly influencing government policies for Gozo. The greatest reform would be for Gozitans to be represented in Parliament by AD, a party characterised by relevance, prescience, expertise and long term, consistent commitment to the benefit of Gozo and the welfare of Gozitans. Only with AD, will promises to turn Gozo into an ecological island, creating a bright and modern future for Gozitan workers, finally be realized."

"It is now up to the Gozitans to decide whether they want to continue being taken for a ride by mere promises or vote for Green representation in parliament, which will ensure that promises become actions." Dr Vassallo concluded.