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.