Sceptics have always argued that the EU is too big and intricate for a small island like Malta as most of its rules were originally designed for much larger countries.

While Malta has succeeded in proving such assertions wrong during its 11 years of membership, the argument has returned to haunt the island.

Times of Malta has learnt the EU is insisting that Birkirkara should replace Valletta in a European environment competition because the capital city’s inhabitants fall drastically short of the requirements to compete.

The issue revolves around a competition titled European Green Capital Award, which is organised every year by Brussels.

The competition is open to all capital cities at the forefront of environmentally friendly urban management to promote good practices in achieving higher standards in sustainable urban development and in pioneering innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

Read more in Times of Malta.