Czech President Václav Havel ended his state visit to Malta yesterday by urging the Maltese to look at the European Union as the "fairest political arena" - even for the smallest of countries.
"In the past, many could have argued that the large member countries imposed their own agenda on the smaller countries. But now the situation is different and it is very clear that the EU offers fairness and equality to all its members," he said.
During a news conference at the end of his two-day state visit, Mr Havel was asked whether small applicant countries like Malta and Slovenia would have a say at all as members in the future European Union.
The Czech President had a short private meeting and luncheon with Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami yesterday, during which they touched upon a number of issues, with the EU topping the agenda. The two also spoke about issues like security and neutrality, Mr Havel said.
He told reporters that during his visit he learnt that Malta as a small country in the Mediterranean had an increased sensitivity to the conflicts going on in the region.
When asked for his opinion, Mr Havel said he did not like the use of terms such as `federation` and `confederation` to describe the Europe of today.
The European Union, he said, was a grouping of states - with basic laws understandable to all, and which embraces all members and citizens.
Malta and the Czech Republic also signed an agreement on investment guarantees at Auberge de Castille. The agreement foresees the promotion and protection of investments in the two countries.
The agreement was signed by Czech Ambassador Hana Sevcikova and Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Gaetan Naudi.
During their meeting in the morning, part of which was open to the press, Dr Fenech Adami paid tribute to Mr Havel`s achievements in various fields.
Dr Fenech Adami turned back the clock to 1989 and reminisced about the summit between US President George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Malta.
Little did the world know that it would see the fall of the Iron Curtain so soon after the meeting. The communist regime was ousted in the former Czechoslovakia in 1989 during the so-called Velvet Revolution.
Touching upon the EU, the prime minister said that Malta and the Czech Republic were both aspiring to be among the frontrunners for EU membership.
"I look at the EU for its political dimension and I hope that Malta will soon play a part in this great experiment," Dr Fenech Adami told the Czech president.
Mr Havel said he was truly moved by the warmth shown by the Maltese during his visit.
"We see smiling faces and people waving. It`s very touching," Mr Havel said.
The Czech President said at the end of the press conference that he was looking forward to breathing the fresh air of Malta during his holiday here over the next week.
"I`m sure it will be beneficial for my lungs," Mr Havel said, referring to his ailing health.
"I would also like to see Malta as an anonymous tourist," he added in an obvious hint to the press which has constantly hounded him for interviews.