It is indeed my pleasure to address this inaugural session of the European Movement’s Federal Council meeting being held in Malta for the very first time.

Malta has been an affiliate member of the European Movement since 1965, a year after we gained our independence.  This fact sheds a light on Malta’s European vocation, a vocation that found its fulfilment on 1 May of this year, when Malta together with nine other states found its rightful place as a member of the European Union.

In the run-up to Malta’s accession, much was said in Malta on what we stood to lose and gain through membership.  On meeting foreign dignitaries and members of the international press I was, and in fact still am, often asked the countering question “what will the European Union gain through Malta’s membership?  What will you be bringing into Europe?”

The reply I give is in part linked to one of the two main themes you will be discussing during your meeting in Malta.  The Mediterranean is to Malta what air is to the human body.  We are surrounded by this sea and to a very large extent, our survival has historically depended on it. Malta’s history mirrors the Mediterranean history and if Malta had to have a visitor’s book dating back to ancient history it would include some of the most famous names in European and Mediterranean history.  Malta has through the ages but especially since its independence followed and participated keenly in Mediterranean fora earning the respect of all sides of this sea.  We have friendly ties and strong links with all our neighbours.  So we will bring into Europe an added Mediterranean dimension, a dimension that I hope will serve well especially in these turbulent days.  Europe can do much in promoting increased dialogue and co-operation in this region with far-reaching effects.  Malta will be at the forefront of any such initiatives.

I spoke at length on this topic when I addressed the European Movement Malta International Conference entitled Europe and Its Neighbours in November 2003.  I hope that during the course of your discussions you will have the opportunity to delve deep into this topic.

I share the opinion that much of the war and hatred dominating the international news today has its roots in the eastern shores of this sea.  The European Union has yet to emerge as a key political player in this regard.  The European Constitution, the second topic you will be considering during this meeting, should serve to lend the European Union a stronger political voice in international affairs.  This constitution was the subject of much debate with sides forming on many issues and fronts.  In the end, I believe a compromise was found that left no absolute winners or losers.  The European Union now has a fixed point of reference on which it can set the course for its future.  In planning this future, Europe must not neglect its moral values. Rather it must seek to determine the cause for the widespread erosion of these values and try and reverse this negative trend.  History teaches us that political and economic progress cannot be sustained unless underpinned by strong social and moral principles.  Again I hope that you will find the time to address this complex theme in the course of your discussions.

On a more local note, I would like to take this occasion to publicly thank and recognise the work that the Malta branch of the European Movement carried out throughout the years particularly in the pre-accession phase.  It is safe to assume that in Malta we had the longest running and deepest debates on membership amongst all the applicant countries.  The European Movement was instrumental in keeping this ongoing debate and in promoting widespread public involvement.  I now offer them a new challenge.  The European Union must remain first and foremost a people’s project.  It must be owned and run by the people of Europe for the benefit of the Europeans.  This is not the case at the moment.  There is growing sentiment across Europe that the European Union is about institutions and not people.  The European Movement Malta should take it upon its shoulders to ensure that such a feeling does not find root in Malta.  This can be done if the debate on Europe continues locally, understandably not with the vigour and intensity of pre-accession but certainly with the same participation and continuity.

I would like to conclude this inaugural address by wishing you all a successful meeting and a pleasant stay in Malta.