I read with interest your paper`s coverage of European parliament president Pat Cox urging the Maltese to `Seize the moment` presented by EU membership. As a Maltese citizen who has lived in Ireland for the last six and a half years I cannot but confirm what Mr Cox stated.

Ireland has gained immensely from EU membership, as anyone who has lived in Ireland can tell. This country has grown in a few years from one riddled with poverty and joblessness to a prosperous country proud of its economic performance. I have yet to meet an Irish person who says otherwise.

One of the reasons for this, I think, is the fact that Irish politicians were more or less united about Ireland joining the EU and therefore concentrated their efforts on negotiating a good deal for their country, rather than quibbling among themselves about whether or not to join. I wish the Maltese politicians did the same.

The other important fact that is obvious from living in Ireland is that as Mr Cox said, EU membership does not weaken the national identity. The Irish have fought for their national identity and are determined not to lose it to any other European state, or the European Union for that matter.

Malta is an independent state that like Ireland has a lot to offer to the EU without losing its identity. Like the Irish people we will be free to keep our beliefs and our wishes regarding such issues as abortion, divorce etc. If the Irish people had opted to stay out of the EU because of fear of losing their identity they would not be the people they are today. As recently demonstrated by the `no` vote to the Nice treaty, they do not feel obliged to agree with all that Europe dictates. Malta in the EU can do the same.

There is one other fact that I think the Maltese people should consider before voting `no` to EU membership. As EU citizens we will have much easier access to trade, education and work opportunities within the EU. As it stands at the moment EU countries are making it harder for non-EU citizens to enter their countries other than for a holiday. As EU citizens Maltese people will be able to apply for jobs and enrol in universities with very few, if any, restrictions. This is not so if we opt to stay out of the EU as I can witness myself from living here in Ireland.

Finally, judging by the Irish experience, EU membership does not automatically lead to a complete wipe-out of small businesses, tradesmen, farmers and fishermen, or the country becoming inundated with foreigners.

Irish farmers have gained hugely from EU funds. Irish fishermen can sell their catch directly to EU-based companies. Irish companies have grown to multinational levels and Ireland only takes in non-Irish workers when job vacancies cannot be filled by the Irish themselves. What EU membership has done in Ireland is the attraction of foreign firms to operate from Ireland because it is a friendly, welcoming and financially equitable place to work in. It is not impossible for Malta to do the same when it joins the EU.

I truly wish that Malta seizes this unique opportunity for prosperity and peace within the EU.