What a year!

Another year draws to a close. What a year it has been! When one thinks back about what has occurred in the past 12 months, one would be forgiven for thinking that we're talking of a much longer period.

This has been the year of the referendum on Malta joining the EU held on the same day as local council elections in a third of the country; of the general election; of the signing of the treaty by which Malta joins the EU next year; of the formation of the new Cabinet; of Parliament reconvening and keeping busy; of the Opposition making a number of changes at its highest ranks short of leadership and of making a return to Xarabank and L-Istrina; and of our shipyards beginning their most major restructuring exercise so far to ensure their feasibility.

It was on Monday, January 13, that the House of Representatives met to debate a motion whereby the House "requests and authorises Government to call a referendum at a near and opportune time, and that, according to article 3 of Chapter 237 of the Laws of Malta, the House decides that the question which shall be put for the common, equal, secret and free decision by the people of Malta in the above mentioned referendum, should be: 'Do you agree that Malta becomes a member of the European Union in the enlargement that will take place on May 1, 2004?'"

A month earlier, on December 13, 2002, Government had secured Malta's right to become a member of the European Union in the next enlargement that will take place on May 1, 2004. Government was proposing to revert back to the people for the final decision.

Until the beginning of this year, it was assumed that the Opposition might agree that the question of Malta's EU membership be decided upon by a referendum in line with what Government had promised when it indicated that once it would have the final package of the conditions that would govern our membership, it would submit the same to the judgement of the people. It was never assumed at that stage that the Opposition would agree to membership but that it could at least accept that the matter be resolved by the people after following arguments for and against membership.

In fact that was not to be. The Parliamentary resolution authorising Government to hold a referendum on the subject could only be carried after a division was called on the motion following a debate that went on for nine sittings. The Opposition moved an amendment to Government's motion through which it sought, unsuccessfully, a declaration from the House of Representatives that the referendum is not the appropriate means how the people should make their "crucial political choice in the present circumstances."

Following this debate, the Prime Minister wrote to the Opposition Leader, proposing that they issue a declaration together appealing to one and all to express himself or herself in the said referendum.

The proposal which indicated that the referendum would be held in March, provided for agreement on the date by when a general election would be called, irrespective of the referendum result. This was another opportunity for (but missed by) the Opposition to distinguish between the EU decision and general elections.

The referendum was then set for March 8. In a national appeal, the Prime Minister expressed a desire that the people equip themselves with facts and information before casting their vote.

The Nationalist Party assumed the unusual commitment of conducting a non-partisan referendum campaign where persons waved the national and the EU colours but not the party flag or other symbols. Even government ministers as well as Nationalist MPs and candidates stayed away from the podium at national meetings while the space was taken up by spokespersons who represent different political backgrounds and by a wave of young people looking forward to a new beginning for our country.

The people understood the message and there were many who voted on the basis of the arguments presented for membership rather than on the basis of their own political track record.

When the referendum results became known, it was clear that the Yes vote had the backing of the absolute majority - nearly 54 per cent - voted in favour of Malta becoming a member of the EU in the next enlargement taking place on May 1, 2004.

Unfortunately that verdict was not accepted by the Labour Party, and Government had no other option but to call immediate general elections on April 12.

The people confirmed their decision in favour of EU membership and on April 16, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami had good reason to express a feeling of tranquillity and calm after putting his pen on behalf of all the people of Malta to the EU accession treaty. The ceremony took place in Athens, the birthplace of democracy.

Malta secured its place in a European Union which on May 1 next year welcomes ten new members to its fold. As the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, pointed out at the Athens signing ceremony, "This is your home too now. It is yours to cherish, to make yourselves at home in, to dream in, to adorn, to extend even further. Today we open our arms to embrace and welcome these 75 million new European citizens."

Malta's Parliament reconvened on May 24. In the inaugural address by the President, it was pointed out that Government's programme is based on five pillars, in each case led by a clear principle. "It is Government's vision that indicates how we need to move ahead to secure that the historic passage that our country will be going through in the coming years leads to wealth and prosperity."

Government's five pillars are education and culture; the environment; social policy; employment and the economy, as well as securing security and peace in the way the country is governed internally and in the international perspective.

Symptoms of a more civil approach to parliamentary life could be seen on opening day. Government gave up one seat of its five-seat majority in appointing Anton Tabone as Speaker. The Opposition seconded and the appointment was unanimous. The Deputy Speaker was later chosen from the Opposition benches while a pairing agreement as existed at the beginning of the 1996 and 1998 legislatures was reached.

The Labour Party general conference in May made sensible choices about the persons to occupy the post of deputy leader for party affairs, and that of deputy leader for parliamentary affairs.

Other sensible choices followed and the Opposition has made it clear that it now respects the people's verdict on EU membership, even if some speeches by its Leader and spokespersons still betray much reluctance. The Opposition's lifting of its boycott against anything linked to Lou Bondì or Peppi Azzopardi was certainly manifest during yesterday's successful L-Istrina marathon.

Government carried on with its work, aimed at making this country more competitive, at grabbing the opportunities that will present themselves as a result of EU membership, and at ensuring that public finances have a secure and sustainable footing.

On August 9 it was my privilege to preside over the inauguration of Grand Harbour Marina in Cottonera is the fulfilment of an important promise by Government to regenerate the south of Malta.

The Cottonera marina has over the past years always been referred to as the crucial segment of this regeneration exercise. I would even refer to it as the heart and soul of the Cottonera waterfront capital project.

Another moment of immense satisfaction was to see the façade of the Pinto Stores in Valletta reintegrated as the cruise liner passenger terminal project makes headway ahead of schedule. I am then pleased about the pace of works on the Manoel Island and Tigné Point development project.

Oh what a year... and there is much more to come... in 2004.

info@franciszammitdimech.com

www.franciszammitdimech.com