Tomorrow being May 1, we are used to focus on issues relating to workers and their rights. Usually messages from trade unions abound reminding us of the need for workers to stay united to fight for their rights and to maintain all the gains they made over the years. One could discuss the issue in this week's contribution as it would be apt, given the date. However, tomorrow, May 1, 2004, is not a day like any other. It marks Malta's accession to the European Union. Irrespective of what one thinks of Malta's membership of the EU, it shall always remain an important day for the country for economic, social and political reasons.
Over the last 40 years we have had two other such days. The day Malta became independent on September 21, 1964 was one of them. On that day we stopped being a British colony, meaning that politically we became a state with the right to choose our own destiny. From a social point of view it meant that we had to stop being reliant on our colonial masters and had to start relying on our own efforts. From an economic point of view it meant that we needed to restructure our economy and start developing the various productive sectors in order to generate economic well-being.
The second was March 31, 1979. On that day the British military bases on the island closed down and the financial agreement tied to the use of such bases ended. From a political point of view, it meant that we had to start seeking other international alliances, as we no longer had a defence agreement with another state; hence the policy of neutrality that was finally entrenched in the Constitution in 1987. From a social perspective, that day represented a finalisation of the process of self-reliance. From an economic point of view, it meant that government had to stop relying on a hefty sum of money every year and start to balance its budget through internal resources.
We were essentially very proud to be a nation taking up its role on the world stage and asserting its rights; but these two dates also meant that we had to assume our responsibilities as a country that upholds democratic principles while seeking to participate, in our own little way, in the world economy. These two dates also meant periods of change and adjustment. These were two common features in these two dates.
One other common feature is that on both occasions the Nationalist Party sought close cooperation with what at the time used to be called the European Economic Community (today's European Union), to take account of the new realities of the time and the periods of adjustment that the country needed to go through. In 1964 the intention was that this close cooperation was meant to lead to full membership, while in 1979, the objective of full membership was made clear from the start. Our accession to the EU tomorrow is the fulfilment of that vision.
From a political perspective, the importance of the day lies in the fact that we are joining a community of nations that share the same political ideals. Our strength will emerge not so much from our right to assert our own individual position in international fora or our right to forge individual alliances with other states but from our right to participate in the formulation policies of a community of democratic 25 nations. From a social perspective, EU accession is critical because it gives us the opportunity to share the benefits of social developments in 24 other countries, like for example in the fields of health, education and welfare.
From an economic perspective we shall reap the benefits of increased competition by having free and guaranteed access to a market of 500 million people. The whole objective is to achieve political, social and economic cohesion among these 25 states. There shall be times when such cohesion shall bring disadvantages for Malta, but on most occasions it shall bring about advantages that we should exploit.
There is one aspect that we need to take account of, an aspect that was not present neither in 1964 nor in 1979. It is the fast-moving process of globalisation. This has meant that events in the world economy shall continue to affect us ever more significantly. Events of the past years have been ample proof of this. Membership of the European Union should help us withstand this challenge. In fact, I strongly believe that membership of the European Union is the best option we could have chosen to reap maximum benefits from the challenges posed by globalisation.
Probably more from an economic perspective rather than a political or social perspective, the date of accession to the European Union shall serve as a watershed for our economy. In this context tomorrow is not a day like any other.