Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has acknowledged that joining the EU was the best decision that Malta could have made.
He made his remark in an opinion piece in Britain's 'i' newspaper in which he set out his argument against the UK leaving the EU as seen from the context of the Commonwealth.
"I am also someone who campaigned against my own country joining the EU, but today acknowledges joining was the best decision we could have made," the prime minister said.
Dr Muscat said the referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union would have profound consequences not just for Britain but for the rest of Europe and the Commonwealth too.
In today’s world we should be coming together to solve the challenges of the future, not withdrawing from the strategic networks that have served us both so well
“One of the strengths of the Commonwealth is when the larger members join the fight alongside smaller countries.
"As Prime Minister of a country that, like Britain, is both a member of the EU and the Commonwealth, I believe that in today’s world we should be coming together to solve the challenges of the future, not withdrawing from the strategic networks that have served us both so well.
Dr Muscat said he was sure his colleagues in Cyprus (which like Malta is in the Commonwealth) would agree that much as they could both advance the interests of Commonwealth nations at the EU, that task was much better done with Britain at their side.
"Those who suggest Britain’s exit from European would lead to some sort of Commonwealth renaissance are profoundly wrong and misunderstand the nature of the Commonwealth today.
"They seem to want to move back to some sort of colonial past that the rest of the Commonwealth has moved on from. Today’s Commonwealth is a free and voluntary union of nations who share a common language, common law and common history.
"If those advocating Brexit claim they are doing so on behalf of the Commonwealth, I respectfully say: “please don’t,” Dr Muscat said.
"The Commonwealth has no desire to see Britain withdraw from being a leading player in Europe. It is neither in the interests of Britain nor the Commonwealth."
See Dr Muscat's opinion piece at https://inews.co.uk/opinion/brexit/