A possible reply to virtual reality

This is an open letter by a president of a member state of the EU to the president of the European Commission. It is dated April 11, 2005.

"Mr. President,

"When two years ago, around this time of the year, the people of Malta 'surprisingly if not illogically' decided to back track on their decision taken a month earlier to join the European Union we were politically disappointed but economically relieved. Not that Malta would have constituted a problem for attracting investment to our country but we were aware of the fact that due to their economic and human resources infrastructure, as at that time, they would have provided a better attraction to the best investors than our country. At that time we also thought that the alternative to membership proposed by today's governing party was highly improbable, as was also constantly remarked by various Commissioners.

"Two years from then we are not sure who was right. We are of the opinion that the partnership agreement afforded to Malta is yielding more benefits than our membership commitment. Their free access to the Community market, among other benefits is, in our opinion, undermining a fundamental pillar of the European Union: solidarity. When one looks at the manner in which the Maltese government directly and indirectly subsidises production, the lack of health and safety regulations and the enforcement of the laws that exist, the lack of environmental and production standards and the breach of rules of origin, one immediately and unequivocally understands why this provides unfair competition to our industries. Such concessions have allowed Malta to attract foreign investment, producing for the Union's market, which should have rightfully established itself in the Union, employing the Union's workforce, a workforce that is committed in its contributions, morally and financially, to fostering the family of European States.

"As we approach the day when our country will assume presidency of the Union we will seek to rectify these shortcomings and, thus, fortify the solidarity pillar.

This will not only sustain this fundamental pillar of the Union's existence but it will correct any negative precedents that have been instituted by such an agreement. We have in the past months shared this opinion with fellow member states which concur to our understanding and which have already offered their unfaltering political support."

Joseph Micallef, Bahar ic-Caghaq.