The context, not the essence

Nearly two years into EU membership, Malta has published a document on the Strategic Objectives of its Foreign Policy. This is the first document of its kind, a welcome development and one that is to be encouraged.

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo has delivered what he had promised he would do during the Budget debate. When we say that it is a 'first', we are not claiming that before its appearance Malta had no strategy. Maltese foreign policy goals were articulated from time to time in major policy statements and in the positions taken by Malta in international affairs.

It was, however, important that, following EU membership, the Foreign Minister should take stock of the new context which membership had created and formulated a strategy. It was also important to inject this in the public domain. Voters need to know what their government is doing in the realm of foreign policy and they have a right to join in the debate.

Foreign policy is not an elite affair. In essence, it is another branch of national politics. The citizens need to know what their government is supporting in international affairs and why.

Particularly they need to know what their government is doing at the EU level, given that the Union is now a prominent actor on the world stage. Hence, whatever it does has an impact on world stability.

The document consists of 20 strategic objectives. In the future people will begin to measure the success of this strategy by the achievements. Achievements are possible if enough resources are devoted to the effort.

Above all, Malta does not need to achieve many of these goals on its own. It is enough for it to pursue them through the EU policies and institutions.

EU policies enjoy more resources and the backing of the member states. Hence, the Europeanisation of our foreign policy should not be taken to mean that Malta's foreign policy becomes Euro-centric. Not at all!

What it really means is that Malta takes advantage of EU policies to promote its interests and values - in concert with like-minded, democratic member states.

Small states find it extremely difficult to make their voice heard in world affairs. It is not easy for them to make an impact or to convince other states of the advantages of their proposals. But by working with others they can overcome these difficulties.

Hence, the strategy while articulating the goals of Malta's foreign policy has altered very little in its essence. The principles of this policy are more or less shared and accepted by all Malta's political forces. What the strategy does is to set these goals in their new setting.