A station for the passing gendarme?

Over the last few days the European media carried news of the strong stand taken by the four neutral countries in the European Union - Austria, Finland, Ireland and Sweden - to safeguard their defence traditions and constitutional practices on a mutual defence clause proposed for the new EU Constitution.

What role did our government play in this crucial debate? Our Constitution commits us to neutrality. This neutrality cannot and must not be changed against our citizens' wishes expressed through their representatives in Parliament.

Government has declared that it is committed to upholding the veto system in the EU in the area of defence and security. This is indispensable if the EU is to abide by what is declared in its new draft Constitution that has been the subject of such intense debate and negotiations among the governments of the member states: "The Union shall respect the national identities of the member states, inherent in their fundamental structures, political and constitutional ..."

The draft constitution also states "The common security and defence policy shall include the progressive framing of a common Union defence policy. This will lead to a common defence, when the European Council, acting unanimously so decides. It shall in that case recommend to the member states the adoption of such a decision in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements."

Such a declaration recognises our constitutional neutrality. Malta's EU membership does not threaten our neutrality. The new EU Constitution will allow member states their veto in foreign policy, which means that at least for the foreseeable future the EU will not extend its one-size-fits-all framework to foreign policy. Neutral countries will be allowed to remain neutral, as the EU will still not be a military alliance. Such a veto is indispensable if the EU wants to maintain its democratic governance. How can the EU change a country's Constitution against the wishes of its citizens?

At the same time it is in our interest to live in a multi-polar world where the EU becomes a self-confident world player even in matters of security and defence, not to allow the United States to be the only unchecked superpower. A few weeks ago in Parliament, during the debate on the Inter-Governmental Conference on the EU Constitution, Foreign Minister Joe Borg reaffirmed that Government will respect Malta's neutrality and that EU membership poses no threat to it. Neutrality is good for Malta. It makes good economic, political and military sense. As a state on the southern frontiers of the EU it is also good for the EU and enhances its diversity and flexibility if it has a member state that can build on its reputation as an ideal meeting place for states, cultures and religions in conflict.

By being neutral and small and so in no position to pose a military threat to anyone we can use our moral authority to speak up for peace, dialogue and negotiations in times of conflict. Without any self-aggrandisement that can be the best contribution we make to the world at large. We should not allow ourselves to be involved in military adventures led by other states.

Our neutrality is not a hermetic withdrawal from the real world. We will deny states, entities, terrorist organisations and individuals the use of our territory from where to threaten and hurt others. We will not turn our back on people who are suffering. We can take part in humanitarian initiatives co-ordinated by the United Nations.

New 'places not bases' policy

A few months ago in parliament Foreign Minister Joe Borg said that last year government allowed 90 warships from 15 countries to visit our harbours. This year 77 warships from 13 countries visited our harbours. We have had some 100 military planes landing at our airport this year.

The countries requesting permits for their warships and planes to use our harbours and airport facilities include the US, Britain, France, Tunisia, India and Morocco. At times we have had a concentration of nine warships in our harbours, while the war on Iraq was going on. Frequently warships are berthed very close to passenger cruise liners. While it is granted that these warships generate good commercial activity when their crews come ashore and visit places of entertainment, it is in our long-term interest not to let Malta revert to the role and image it had 40 years ago as a military and naval base.

Today other countries do not need to turn us into fixed air, naval and military bases for them. It is enough that we grant them regular access to our harbours and airport. This helps them assert their security interests in the region through their hovering presence. It is called the policy of "the passing gendarme". With so many closures of naval and military bases worldwide a new approach is being implemented. Countries like Malta that previously served as bases, now serve as "places" for regular visits by naval vessels and passing aircraft. The point of these regular visits is to tell the world: this territory is in our control and belongs to our zone of influence.

Our future lies in attracting as many passenger-cruise ships as possible to our harbours and in having more tourists generate wealth in our country. Other vulnerable islands like us have had their tourism industry wrecked after being targeted by terrorist organizations. We do not need a full-scale war to destroy us; one major terrorist attack is enough. A few hours after the recent terrorist attacks on "soft targets" in Turkey, warnings were issued to tourists to keep away from Turkish holiday resorts.

Other countries can afford not to involve us in their military conflicts. Our tiny size does not make any real difference to them and technology makes geo-strategic locations irrelevant. In our case we simply cannot afford to get involved in military conflicts. We must use our tiny size and position on the crossroads of the Mediterranean as inter-cultural mediators and bridge-builders.

The quality of life of our families and pensioners depends on our ability to generate economic growth in manufacturing, tourism and services. We need to trade with as many different countries as possible in the world. Multilateralism - building strong links with as many countries as possible is essential for a small country like ours - not to allow anyone to dominate us. It gives us more room where to maneuver in the interest of our people living on these islands.