Editorial • December 14 2003

Making Europe useful

Europe has not featured in this leader for some time now. The reason being that there is nothing to say about Europe. Even the constitution offers little in terms of excitation potential. The only topic that appears to have triggered off a reaction in most Maltese is the absence of any mention of the word Christianity in the proposed constitution.
The budget confirmed that there would be little or no money from the European Union.
The PM’s reaction to Labour’s budget speech turned out to be an orgy for Europe but there was nothing little in terms of content and vision. Apart from Europe, Europe and Europe there are more valid arguments to counter Dr Sant in parliament.
Which brings us to the central issue in today’s argumentation.
The future of Malta in Europe is not to be decided by our politicians and the legal implications of our transition into Europe can only depend on what happens in the European parliament. Beyond this the Maltese will have to accept the destiny that awaits them.
This is not in itself a completely negative development.
In the environmental and social field it will definitely help us to grind the environmental deficit we suffer from and the social reforms that have been stalled because of inertia from politicians lacking in decisiveness.
In competition and consumer rights, Europe will provide opportunities and new horizons, as in the cultural and educational camp, where Europe has so much to offer.
In security and democratisation Europe will present us with guarantees that can only be embraced and welcomed.
On the other hand Europe will bring uncomfortable equality and uniformity among nations which will do much to dent our national pride, trim our nationhood and make sovereignty less of a central issue.
It will also limit our flexibility, our tax regime, and our incessant interest in running our budget at a deficit and living beyond our means.
And yes, to all those who refuse to believe that Malta could one fine day choose to walk out of the European Union, let us not be quite too sure about this.
If Europe fails to meet the expectations of us Maltese, then as all good Islanders do, we will swim upstream and do the unthinkable.
We all know that there is no pain without gain. But there is a limit to pain and no gain. And Dr Fenech Adami cannot go on singing the song for Europe and bank on the illustrious high ideal of Europe to convince us that the future is all roses… when it may not be the case.