In his thoughtful article, Martin Scicluna (March 11) reports that the first task of any State is to safeguard its citizens.

He also touches on the valid point that we have moved from an overriding focus on conventional military forces when addressing the requirement to safeguard. Cyber defence, provision of humanitarian aid and reconstruction and capacity building in wayward states are now all part of the capability needed to ensure people of the EU can live safely.

As a non-aligned State within the EU, Malta can play an important part in these new emerging defence and security capabilities, especially a pivotal role in the provision of humanitarian aid and protection of EU sea boundaries.