The start of a new beginning

And so the great day has arrived. Another day which adds up to Malta's history.

There are moments in the history of a people where one has to stop to understand the feeling of change, even though this change is not something which was built in a day. Historical changes are built up through the years. But if one were to stop and analyse some particular moments in the history of Malta as a nation, we realise the dichotomy between nation and state. We have existed as a state for these last 40 years. We have existed as a nation for over 2000 years.

There are moments of history when a people stops and strives to understand its role as well as its vocation. And the Maltese are no exception.

For many in Malta, September 21, 1964 marks Malta's date with destiny. We evolved from a nation to being a state. From subjects to other countries, we became citizens of our land. For those born when Malta was under foreign domain, this must remain the great dawn of our history as a state. For those like me, who were born since independence, our independent state has been our birthright.

But we live our history and we feel the full impact of that great event which put Malta back in its place in Europe. When George Borg Olivier made his statement in the Council of Europe that for Malta to go in the Council of Europe was "a return home", he was speaking with the foresight of a statesman who believed in Malta's European destiny.

When on July 16, 1990 Malta presented its request to join the European Union, the ship had left harbour with a mission: Malta in Europe as a sovereign state. The will of the Maltese people expressed in the referendum and in the April 2003 election settled a controversy which had lasted too long. But May 1 is not an end in itself but a means to an end. It is the start of a new beginning where independent Malta will take its place as a sovereign state within a union of European nations; where we, a small nation, can exercise our sovereign will with others within a context of the future.

For let us be clear, we start this new beginning with no complexes. We start this new beginning with a full awareness that we have a role to play within Europe. We will not form part of Europe just to have some economic advantages. We will form part of Europe as contributors to a force for peace and liberty in the region to which we belong.

I believe that Malta's relevance in Europe passes through the Mediterranean. It is here that we can find that particular niche where Malta can make Europe closer to the Mediterranean. To use a phrase of Jacques Delors: "We must not displace Europe so much to the north while forgetting the south; we would risk losing our sensitivity to the Mediterranean world, which is our world, but which at present emulates the dangers for the future of all of us".

I believe that Malta in Europe can also be a further link with the developing world. We are so close to North Africa and to the Middle East. Our geographical closeness to these peoples make us more aware of matters affecting the so called "third world". It is here where we can further bring in our experience, acquired through the years and our great sense of solidarity.

For May 1 is not just an ordinary day. It is a day where we celebrate with workers all over the world a day to labour with dignity in freedom. It may be a coincidence of dates but is certainly not a coincidence of history, that the largest ever enlargement of Europe is going to take place on May 1; because the Europe that is being built remains one based on the dignity of work. When the years will pass, Malta's entry into Europe will just be another day, because it will become part of our history. Just as Independence has become part of our history. And we Maltese will learn how to live as citizens of Malta and as citizens of Europe and feel that that is our natural birthright.

Those of us who have been involved, in some way or another, with this great decision of the people of Malta, will always look at May 1, 2004 with a sense of achievement. But, there will be in us all, in the years to come, a great sense of contentment in seeing that the future citizens of Malta and Europe will take all this for granted. And just like those who were present on that fateful night of September 20, 1964 tell us "I was there", with pride and a sense of history, so will we be telling those who will come after us "I was there" on that night of April 30, 2004 when the Grand Harbour relived its history to add another chapter to our history: Malta in Europe.

Dr de Marco is a Nationalist member of parliament.