Malta wakes up today as a member of the European Union, joining nine
other countries in an enlargement that is marking what is being
considered as the most important event after its foundation. It has been
a long and sometimes difficult march but as the island takes its place
in the 25-member European Union, a new era begins for this small country
that had to go through so much before finally winning the right to
determine its own affairs. It is through that right that the majority of
the people chose to shape and share its future with that of the European
family of nations.
It is a new era not just for Malta but for the whole of Europe as the
European Union's founding father's concept takes a giant leap forward in
its development to take under its wings millions of people who for so
many years lived under communist rule. With today's enlargement, the
fifth so far, more barriers are being knocked down, raising the
population of the European Union to a staggering 455 million.
When the first world war broke out in 1914, the then British foreign
secretary, Sir Edward Grey, made a remark that encapsulated the fears
that gripped the world at the time: "The lights are going out all
over Europe and I doubt we will see them go on again in our
lifetime". It indeed took a very long time and much warfare and
heartaches before the lights went on again.
The ravages of two world wars left indelible scars; communist regimes
divided Europe into two, subjecting their people to living standards far
below those enjoyed by most of the rest in the European continent. But
with the dramatic collapse of the iron curtain, the people suddenly
began to see the prospects of a new life opening before their eyes.
Their long-standing aspirations take tangible form today as together
with Malta and Cyprus they take their first step into the European Union
as members.
Despite the difficulties that arise from time to time, the lights
that had gone out at the outbreak of World War I are now shining bright
across Europe, renewing new hopes and aspirations among millions of
European citizens. Under the Treaty of Rome, signed in 1957, the
community had six members. This rose to 15 with four successive rounds
of enlargement, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom in 1973, Greece
in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986, and Austria, Finland and Sweden in
1995. Today's enlargement is therefore the largest, adding 78 new
million citizens to the community. Next in line are Bulgaria and
Romania, and then there is Turkey waiting in the wings too.
Strains and stresses
The new enlargement finds the community living under the strains and
stresses of new political and social problems. Political divergencies
within the Union over Iraq brought about new political tensions that
have had serious rippling effects. Slow growth, reforms to health and
pension systems and deficits in the finances of a number of governments
are forcing countries to go against what they themselves have agreed
upon under the stability and growth pact. Besides France and Germany,
there are four other countries in the Union that have been admonished by
the Commission over their shortfall - the Netherlands, Portugal, Greece
and Italy.
The growth of the community from 15 to 25 members is also bound to
create institutional problems, unless certain procedures, like the
decision-making system, are overhauled. The new constitution in the
making will take care of this if and when it is approved. One
"no" vote in any of the referendums planned to be held by some
countries will send it back to the drawing board. Britain is in a state
of flux over the Union after Tony Blair made a U-turn in his
government's policy and is now offering a referendum over the
constitution.
Malta has had no institutional or political hurdles of the kind other
new entrants in the former communist bloc had in their work to join the
EU. A major obstacle was the opposition party's stand against
membership, but both in a referendum and in the last election, the
majority of the electorate said "yes" to membership. Labour
has accepted the verdict and has changed its policy, committing itself
to work towards making the best of membership. Even so, in the light of
statements that are made by the party leader from time to time, it is
generally felt that Labour badly needs to articulate its policy so as to
leave no doubt at all as to where it stands.
Looking forward with confidence
Today, there is general acceptance of the fact that the island's
future lies with that of the European Union. As from today, the country
will be sharing its sovereignty with the rest of its partners in the EU,
retaining its identity but forging new links that will hopefully open
new avenues for development in security. Inside the European Union, the
island stands a better chance of meeting existing and new challenges in
development than if it were to stay out of the community. It is
ultimately up to us as a nation to make the best of membership. We can
best do this if we seize the moment, overcome petty squabbles and seek
to act wisely and collectively in matters that are of vital interest to
the well-being of the country and its people.
Independence, the closure of the military base, the declaration of
the republic, these and all the social and economic development that the
country has had since then, have fashioned a new Malta. As we step into
the European Union today, the country looks forward with confidence so
that, with God's help, it charts a new course, one that will hopefully
bring about greater prosperity to all.