A truly well-deserved award

The Schuman Medal is an award introduced in 1986 by our political group in the European Parliament, the EPP group. The medal bears the name of Robert Schuman, a French statesman who, in 1950, was the main architect of the European Union.

It is truly impressive that one man could, single-handedly, do so much for his country…- Simon Busuttil

The award pays tribute to public figures who, very much like Schuman himself, made outstanding contributions to European integration and advanced the cause of peace and human values through their public activities and personal commitment.

Since 1986, the medal was awarded to distinguished politicians such as former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, former French President Valerie Giscard d’Estaing and the former president of the European Commission, Jacques Delors.

It was also awarded to personalities such as Pope John Paul II.

In 2007, the medal made it to Malta when it was awarded the late President Emeritus Guido De Marco.

Five years down the line, the medal is now about to be awarded to another great Maltese politician. A man who possesses all the qualities and values that this medal celebrates. This man is none other than Eddie Fenech Adami.

Dr Fenech Adami’s legacy can be seen on two levels. First of all, he was the man who led the efforts to pull Malta back from the brink when our democracy was in doubt. Secondly, he managed to lead the country to its natural home, Europe, right where we belong. He did this despite strong adversity.

Upon being appointed leader of the Nationalist Party in 1977, Dr Fenech Adami famously said that he wanted to “serve”. And, indeed, this ideal defined his politics in the years that followed.

He distinguished himself for his patience and resilience at a time when political violence was rife and democracy was on the brink. He remained composed in the face of personal violent attacks against him and his family. And he also instilled calm at a very volatile time, preventing the fluid situation from spiralling out of control into something really ugly.

In 1981, Dr Fenech Adami demonstrated outstanding leadership when, in that year’s general election, the PN obtained an absolute majority of votes but could not govern because gerrymandering in electoral districts prevented it from obtaining an absolute majority of seats in Parliament. With determination and vision he went through five tortuous years until he became Prime Minister in May 1987.

Crucially, he always said that truth will always prevail. And prevail it did.

Dr Fenech Adami restored normality to the country and his government embarked on a root-and-branch overhaul of the entire political, social and economic system.

But his lasting vision was to pave the way for Malta to take its rightful place in the EU. This was by no means an easy task. The Labour Party put all spokes in the wheels and opposed EU membership tooth and nail.

Malta’s journey home was, therefore, characterised by tough negotiations with the EU, dispelling one scaremongering myth after another churned out by the PL and even overcoming the mess they created by freezing Malta’s EU application during their brief stint in government between 1996 and 1998.

Despite all this, thanks to Dr Fenech Adami’s efforts, the Maltese people understood the importance of joining the EU and emphatically said so in a referendum held in March 2003.

Little wonder, therefore, that Dr Fenech Adami’s signature of Malta’s EU Accession Treaty in Athens in April 2003 was the culmination of a long and difficult journey that ended successfully. For Dr Fenech Adami, this was, no doubt, the climax of an illustrious career at the service of his country.

When, subsequently, he addressed the European Parliament as President of Malta in 2006, he said that, in the EU, it is not the size of the country that you come from that matters but the strength of your ideas and the clarity of your vision.

Indeed, the strength of his ideas and clarity of vision are the qualities that Dr Fenech Adami himself always possessed. They have not only enabled a small country like Malta to join the foremost club of the Western world but also to participate in a meaningful and active manner, punching well above its weight.

It is truly impressive that one man could, single-handedly, do so much for his country, in bringing about peace, human rights, economic prosperity and a place in the European family of nations.

It is for these reasons that the EPP will be honouring Dr Fenech Adami with the prestigious Schuman Medal.

The award ceremony will be held this Sunday at 6.30 p.m. at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta and will be open free of charge to the public. Reservations can be made through AŻAD on 2122 8585.

The ceremony will be followed by a gala dinner at the Casino Maltese and reservations for the dinner can also be made via AŻAD.

I invite you to join us in paying tribute to a man who changed our lives and the destiny of our country.

simon.busuttil@europarl.europa.eu

Dr Busuttil is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.