Greek prime minister Constantinos Simitis yesterday confirmed that Malta would not have another opportunity to join the EU for a very long time if it does not sign the EU Accession Treaty in Athens on April 16.
Mr Simitis was asked whether Malta would miss the bus during the EU presidency's press conference at the conclusion of the spring European Council.
"Yes, yes, yes," he replied.
European Commission president Romano Prodi then quipped: "Do you also want me to say that in Italian?"
Mr Prodi told reporters afterwards he was confident Malta would be present for the signing in Athens and dismissed any notions of "partnership": "We are a family here. We are not half sons, half brothers, or anything else. We are one family."
Their comments came after the EU presidency stated in the summit's formal conclusions that the positive result in Malta on accession to the EU is an important first step on the path towards a wider Europe of peace, democracy, stability and prosperity.
"The Union pays tribute to the Maltese people for their decision and calls upon the peoples of other acceding states to seize the opportunity to reap the benefits of membership and make enlargement a reality from May 1, 2004."
The presidency described the signing of the accession treaties as a momentous occasion, "sealing the determination of both the present and future member states to come together in the pursuit of the European project".
It underlined the importance of everyone working together to ensure the established timetable is met.
The clear statement in the conclusions was also highlighted by Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami during an earlier press conference held after he had attended a working lunch with leaders of EU members, accession countries and candidates.
Dr Fenech Adami said he was congratulated on the positive referendum result by all the leaders at the summit, and even by British prime minister Tony Blair who had to leave early due to the international crisis in Iraq.
"Malta will lose a unique opportunity if it does not sign the Accession Treaty on April 16. As the English say, 'we would have missed the bus'," said Dr Fenech Adami.
The prime minister said there was a risk that the EU doors would shut in Malta's face, before pausing and adding: "Or we would have shut them in our own faces."
When asked whether the Labour Party's reaction to the referendum had figured during his interaction with EU leaders, he said: "It was ignored. Everybody acknowledges that 54 per cent is convincing."
Dr Fenech Adami said the summit illustrated the importance of Malta having a voice in international forums, which would enable the island to present its position in a forceful manner.
The working lunch, as planned, focused on the Lisbon Strategy - which seeks to make the EU more competitive - in spite of calls to postpone discussions on the issue in the light of the war in Iraq.
Dr Fenech Adami told his counterparts that the EU provided the greatest opportunities which, in turn, created jobs. He also referred to other areas tackled by the Lisbon strategy such as pensions and the welfare state.
The prime minister said during his intervention that he hoped the EU would speak with a more united voice on the Iraq crisis - although there was a more conciliatory mood yesterday and even a short dialogue between Mr Blair and French President Jacques Chirac. However, Mr Prodi interjected and said that no one should be alarmed that EU members had different opinions since it was a Union made up of sovereign states.
Greek foreign minister Georgios Papandreou also praised the island when asked for his reaction to the referendum result by reporters.
"We congratulate you and are waiting to have you in the family. Malta has made its decision and this is something we respect. We welcome Malta to the family," he said.
Dr Fenech Adami, who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Joe Borg, Finance Minister John Dalli and EU chief negotiator Richard Cachia Caruana, returned last night.