With the majority of Britons voting to leave the European Union, those of us who form part of this Union and who believe in its values and advantages cannot but feel sad and disappointed.

How more disappointing and humiliating one feels when one hears words like: “Now we have got back our independence and sovereignty.”

Whether a fact or a figment of one’s imagination, many Eurosceptics fear their sovereignty is being curtailed.  This was also one of the fears many Maltese had before we joined the EU.

If the EU has to survive and, indeed, become stronger and more trustworthy, it has to address such fears in a very convincing manner.

The constitution of Europe was the result of the desire of the people of Europe to forget their divisions to form a common destiny while remaining proud of their national identities and cultures.

The EU is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, rule of law and respect for human rights.  Its motto is ‘united in diversity’.

So why has Britain voted not to abide by such values?  This is a time of deep reflection for all those involved in the institutions of the EU.  Are these institutions abiding by the principles and values set out in the constitution?  Are they looking at the interests of the citizens that form part of the community?  Are these values reaching all citizens in an effective manner?

There is need for the sovereignty of nations to be readdressed and strengthened so that we allay, once and for all, the fear that one’s national sovereignty is being hampered.  We have to show one and all that the EU serves as a means for its members to achieve their goals better and more effectively.

We have to convince ourselves that we need one another without trampling on and bullying one another.