It is an easier experience to enter Malta thanks to a decision made by the Maltese people 20 years ago to become a member of the European Union (EU). All the people travelling to Malta, holding an EU passport while standing in the customs line at Luqa airport or alighting a cruise ship in the Grand harbour, waiting to explore the amazing experiences that can be found on the island, should be appreciative of the decisions made to enable Malta to become an EU member in 2004.
Malta had fought hard to gain independence from the British in 1964, and while many on the island could see the potential economic benefits of joining the EU, just as many were fearful of giving up sovereignty, after what had been a hard fight for independence from the British. What may seem as an easy decision today, was in fact a tough referendum campaign which was held on 8 March 2003. The result of 53.65% voting yes, and 46.35% voting against reflected the contest between Malta’s past and future.
Befitting Malta’s position geographically, politically and culturally, the direction the Maltese people took would have ramifications for 9 other countries who would also vote in 2003 on entering the EU. The referendum was watched closely and nervously throughout Europe, with Malta being the first of ten nations considering membership. Such was the vote’s importance for the fate of EU expansion, that Malta experienced several interventions from outsiders. This included European leaders writing editorials in the local press supporting the vote to enter the EU, fearful a No vote would stymie the EU’s expansion plans.
After the voting booths had closed, car horns honked and people hung out of cars that formed a celebratory line through towns. The close outcome was contentious, since the referendum was non-binding on the National Party (PN) Government. With the result being split largely along political lines, the incumbent Prime Minister called an early general election to validate the referendum result. The countdown to the election day on 12 April 2003 took on extra significance, with Prime Minister Adami due to fly out for the signing of the treaty to become a member of the EU, scheduled for four days later, on 16 April 2003.
The election result, declared in favour of the incumbent PN government released a large collective breath of relief within Malta and across the EU commission. Malta officially became an EU member on May 1st 2004.
This was the first strand of the ties that would bind Malta with the EU. In the international community Malta’s place in history has been acknowledged as Malta has the distinction of being the first and only EU member state to adopt the Euro and join the Schengen free travel zone, at the same time. An impressive feat considering these two events were achieved in 2008, only 4 years after becoming a member.
When holding Euro notes to be spent on the island or standing with an EU passport the visitor to Malta owes their easy entrance to the delights of Malta, to the Maltese people voting to enter the EU 20 years ago.
Malta being a member of the European Union is a critical plot point and motivation for Marica Debono in my novel The Maltese Web.
As a financial intelligence officer, Marica is racing the clock to thwart Russian criminals who are trying to exploit Malta’s financial system to launder their money.
Balancing her personal and professional responsibilities, she must walk a tightrope to restore her professional integrity, save those closest to her, and uncover the truth about her father’s involvement.
Grab your copy of ‘The Maltese Web’ (One investigator; One Island; Countless secrets) from Amazon to find out if Marica can uncover the secrets, find il-Brimba (the Spider) and destroy the web of deceit, in time to save herself and her loved ones.
