Malta and Britain

Ambrose Muscat (With All Due Respect, January 11), was quite rightly incensed by a recently published letter from a (presumably) British subject regarding the Maltese attitude to membership of the European Union.

As a British subject living in Malta and a permanent resident, I would like to say that I agree that the earlier British subject's contribution was unjustified and offensive in the language and manner in which his opinion was expressed.

However, the attack by Mr Muscat is equally offensive to British citizens who reside in Malta and are or holiday in Malta, bringing a great deal of income to these beautiful islands.

It is obvious to everyone that no country would join in a union with other countries unless it was to benefit from such a union, and such benefits are not always for monetary purposes in the long term. Malta, quite rightly, is a current net fiscal beneficiary from the EU in order to aid its development, but must, in the long term, plan to be self-sufficient and ultimately become a net contributor, if required.

Mr Muscat must get his facts right before attacking the British or any other nationality, otherwise he will be accused of being as nationalistic as the people that he attacks. I would question the following assertions made:

Malta has given up hundreds of lives over the past half a millennium in the protection of Europe - I contend that Malta has always protected itself in its own interests.

Malta has been treated as a colony and left to itself when it has no longer been of strategic value - I contend that, as far as the British are concerned, Malta asked for assistance when occupied by Napoleon and was a willing participant in invasion and also willingly participated in the defence of their own country when threatened by the Nazis to the benefit of both countries. Malta was also responsible for the withdrawal of the British and the loss of work and funds provided, by the British.

Malta must realise that, given today's modern weapons, it is of little strategic value to any country, but is of great value to its inhabitants (both Maltese and foreigners, like myself) who value it's culture, people and environment. Long may Malta prosper.