A European nation in the Mediterranean

Malta's accession to the European Union adds to it another Mediterranean state. The European Union stretching from the Nordic states to the Mediterranean sees its frontiers extended southwards with Malta's membership. Indeed, European Malta's role in the Mediterranean has not been given the importance it deserves.

Since the remote past Malta has played an active role in Mediterranean affairs. Going back to Punic times Malta was an important staging post for Phoenician traders and colonisers. In Classical times Malta also played an important part in naval warfare and military affairs of the time. In later periods it continued to be an important post to whoever was its ruler. In modern times Malta sought to be a bridge linking Europe to the Middle East and the North African states.

We have been too much taken up with our struggle to accede to membership of the European Union to give adequate attention to our Mediterranean role. Now, with EU membership achieved, we can look around us and try to rethink our geographical reality. If one looks at a map, one would notice that Malta is more to the south of Tunis. Malta is indeed the EU country with the closest proximity to North Africa. Our traditional ties with Libya and the Maghreb states will play an important part in the political future of Europe. This is particularly true in respect of the Euro-Mediterranean initiative.

Ever since Independence, Malta has sought to utilise its geographical position to foster peace, security and the promotion of trade with its southern neighbours. As early as May 1965, when Malta joined the Council of Europe, the then Prime Minister, George Borg Olivier, informed that Council that "our position in the Middle Sea causes us to take a natural interest in the North African coast and in events and developments there" and he then further stated that "whilst as a European country sharing a common culture, history and way of life, we naturally gravitate towards Europe, our geographical position makes us aware of the importance of North Africa which shares with six members of this Council a common sea and which has much to contribute to the welfare of the area. We, therefore, would think that this aspect of European foreign policy could be given some thought". This affirmation right at the start of our Independence status is an important declaration of Malta's role in Mediterranean affairs. Later on, in Helsinki, Malta reaffirmed this officially and formally.

As an EU member, Malta can now play a meaningful role. Already, in Barcelona, Malta put on record its thoughts on the issue. As a full partner in the 25 nation European Union, Malta will look southwards and eastwards. Already we have had declarations from Arab leaders that, as they consider Malta as a political partner, they feel they now have another friend in Europe. As for the Middle East, Malta has been very active in recent years to contribute for a just and lasting solution. The hard work put in by President Emeritus Guido de Marco in recent years has not gone unnoticed.

In the European parliament, if I am entrusted with the electorate's vote, I will seek to play a part in the Euro-Mediterranean initiative. In the United Nations, during my attachment with the Maltese mission, I dealt occasionally with the Middle East issue. I am therefore aware from another standpoint of the issue and of Malta's official position. Within this framework I propose to be of service to Malta also in this regard.

Dr Tabone is a Nationalist Party candidate for the elections to the European parliament.