Eddie Fenech Adami addressing a question and answer session at the University library. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Threatening to use the veto in EU decision-making does not work as it creates “antagonisms” that are not beneficial to anyone, according to President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami.

“Personally I don’t think it works. You create antagonism. You create reactions. That’s not the way. The fact that decisions are taken by consensus is extremely positive. I think this is the essence of the EU,” he said.

He was speaking during a question and answer session with students at the University of Malta’s library followed by a book-signing session of his autobiography, Eddie – My Journey.

Dr Fenech Adami was assisted in writing the book by Times of Malta editor-in-chief Steve Mallia, who yesterday kick-started the discussion as students shied away from being the first to ask a question.

Dr Fenech Adami was asked whether threats of a veto – like the one made last year by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who insisted on concrete solidarity on immigration – were ever acceptable.

People read through you. You have to communicate that you are really interested in the public good

The question followed Dr Fenech Adami’s reflections on Malta’s accession to the EU in 2004, which he had described as the highest point in his political career.

“I was a strong believer in the EU since my student days when it was then the European Economic Community,” he said.

The lowest point of his career was the murder of Raymond Caruana at the PN Gudja club in 1986.

He told students that joining the political world was not his idea but he was nominated to contest the elections. That was when he “revolutionised” the way politicians communicated with people.

“I had a small Fiat 500 with a sunroof and borrowed an amplifier which I put on the back seat and went all over the districts holding corner meetings,” he said, as students giggled as they pictured the image.

Initially, he said, he was “preaching to no one”, but people “got used to it and started coming out”.

When it came to politics, he said, the art of communication was key. “People read through you. You have to communicate that you are really interested in the public good,” he said.

Dr Fenech Adami also mentioned former university rector Peter Serracino Inglott whom he first met at university.

Prof. Serracino Inglott, who passed away in 2012, eventually became one of his closest advisers.

“He was brilliant all the way through. I owe a lot to him and the country owes him a lot,”he said.

Dr Fenech Adami also spoke fondly about his late wife Mary and the “great courage” she showed on Black Monday when their Birkirkara home was attacked in October 1979.

Politics in Malta would never go back to those violent days, he said.