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When Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta, visited David Cameron at 10 Downing Street in May it was an affirmation of the close relations between the countries that go back hundreds of years.
Although it has been invaded by a string of overseas powers, the link with Britain as the final colonial ruler are most apparent today.
Malta only gained independence in September 1964 and the two countries now regularly meet as equals in Brussels and at Commonwealth meetings. The shared history creates a strong bond, says Gonzi.
“The understanding of the position of the two countries is something that is very special for us,” he says. “I have been prime minister of Malta for seven years and during that time have met with other prime ministers all over the world, but there is a special spark that exists between Malta and Britain.”
The other relationship that helps to define Malta’s foreign policy is the one it has with its closest neighbour, Italy. Relations with both countries have been enhanced since Malta joined the EU in 2004.
“The two biggest influences on Malta are Italy, because of geographical proximity, and Britain, which was the last colonial ruler,” says Dr Tonio Borg, Minister of Foreign Affairs. “In Malta we take the best of both worlds. With the European Union we have intensified our relationship. Italy helped us a lot financially to join the EU, so there is a natural tendency to increase this friendship, but it has also occurred with the British government.”
The risk for a small country like Malta is that its voice will get lost among the major powers in Brussels. But according to Borg it has been able to protect its interests.
“At the Council of Foreign Ministers and the European Council our views are taken into account,” he says. “In foreign policy, decisions are by consensus. That doesn’t mean that each time you disagree with something you block it, but there is a genuine attempt to reach a consensus."
“Without any shadow of a doubt we have punched above our weight. Particularly in foreign affairs, but even in areas like home affairs or justice affairs where there is qualified majority voting.”
Perhaps the best sign of the success of its approach has been the rise in support for EU membership in Malta in the years since it joined the bloc in 2004.
“The fact that today 60% of people feel that it was a good thing to join the EU, when we were almost evenly divided, is a great achievement,” says Borg. |
