Of staleness and vision

Last Thursday's issue of The Times was particularly remarkable for the contrast and diametrically opposed analysis of the recently launched policy document Strategic Objectives Of Malta's Foreign Policy.

On one hand, an editorial which commended the document while constructively criticising it and, on the other hand, a rather stale piece by Leo Brincat lacking real substance and indulging in cheap jibes.

With pity, I have to note that Mr Brincat shows himself to be completely out of touch when he gives the impression that the Strategic Objectives Of Malta's Foreign Policy are a series of 20 objectives declared, single-handedly, by myself, without meaningful consultation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or elsewhere.

It is the usual mindset of Mr Brincat who, yawningly, always sets out to gain political mileage at all costs.

I should note that all members of our diplomatic staff were given the opportunity to actively contribute to the formulation of the Strategic Objectives Of Malta's Foreign Policy. Over a year ago, we embarked on a truly inclusive and exhaustive consultation process, with a high level meeting of the ministry's topmost officials and Malta's resident ambassadors, followed by a consultative meeting with Malta's non-resident ambassadors, followed by an electronic consultation process with all members of the diplomatic staff. The "listening" phase over, on formulating this document, it was presented to Cabinet.

After discussion and adoption in Cabinet, at my request it was discussed at a consultation meeting in Parliament with the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives. This meeting, scheduled to be held on January 25, was postponed to the next day to allow for Mr Brincat's return to Malta from travel abroad. A request for consultation had also been made by Mr Brincat himself. The agenda of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee was dedicated solely to this item.

I requested that the meeting be held in camera, behind closed doors, in order to allow for a healthy exchange in an environment free of unnecessary pressures. Mr Brincat was free to state whatever he had to contribute, in a true spirit of dialogue, and with a genuine will to take note of constructive input.

Unfortunately, Mr Brincat failed to register any meaningful contribution during this meeting. Did Mr Brincat, therefore, just request consultation and then contribute nothing to the discussion so that he could simply spew in public his rather inconsequential criticism? That is a sad way of dealing with "consultation".

In 22 months of Labour government between 1996 and 1998 there was enough time to produce such a document to give greater focus and stronger direction to Malta's foreign policy. The direction we got then was the freezing of Malta's application for membership in the European Union. That was truly a strategy built on poor vision certainly not beneficial to Malta.

The new document builds on the new beginning for Malta emerging from our EU membership and our strengthened role in the world today. No thanks to Mr Brincat.

Dr Frendo is Minister of Foreign Affairs.