A few weeks ago, General Workers Union paper L-Orizzont ran an article, complete with pictures, of each and every restaurant run by Sicilians around Malta.

Last week, as this paper reported (page 2), GRTU deputy president Philip Fenech also spoke on the influx of Sicilians to Malta, who, he said, have set up various cafeterias and restaurants in a number of touristic areas around Malta.

Now this focusing on Sicilians has come at a time when British Home Secretary Theresa May is insisting the UK government stops the influx of citizens from EU countries flowing to Britain, even if to study.

It comes at a time when the tidal wave of refugees from Syria and other war-torn countries is flowing across Europe despite the various obstacles that governments such as that of Hungary are putting in their path.

Now let us put everything in context.

Historically, relations between Malta and Sicily have always been extremely close and Maltese have always been relocating to Sicily and vice-versa. Even a cursory look at some of the common surnames shows this.

When Malta was in a bad patch it would see an increase in the number of Maltese seeking a new life in Sicily. Now that Malta is flourishing and Sicily is experiencing the worst of the already bad Italian recession, it is more than understandable that Sicilians get tempted to try their luck at the small island across the sea.

What history had forged, the EU's single market rule casts in stone. Through joining the EU, Malta signed on to free movement of labour. Although this specific subject was spoken about in the months before the 2003 accession referendum, the citizens of Malta decided and later confirmed they accepted this very important building stone of European unity.

Without venturing into the wider area whether this massive influx of people from outside the Union should be stemmed or whether the Schengen Agreement should be suspended, let us focus on this Sicilian 'invasion'.

It has to be said that so far no one, from those who argue about stemming the Sicilian tide has argued that Maltese cafeterias and restaurants are closing up because of the Sicilians.

As far as one can see, Maltese-run restaurants and cafeterias follow the usual norms of businesses - some flourish and prosper; others decline and some shut up shop.

But what has happened, and we believe readers can vouch for this, is that this Sicilian (and other) influx has positively influenced the quality of gourmet fare available on the island, which up to some decades ago, was mostly based on the British fish & chips cuisine catering mainly to the British kind of tourists.

The British period in Malta had killed off any indigenous Maltese cuisine. Quite surprisingly, we did not have any fish cuisine, when we are surrounded by fish.

It was the Sicilians who brought back to us the lore of fish-based menus. Following that, the Maltese restaurants rediscovered tastes long forgotten.

All in all, the impact of this influx has been, still is, to enhance Malta.

Of course, it goes without saying that the Sicilian, and other, guests, now they are in Malta must obey the Maltese laws. It has been validly argued that by getting in their merchandise without paying the eco-tax gives such people, Maltese or Sicilian or whatever, an unfair competitive edge.

This goes for other laws too. It has also been argued that Maltese car drivers are at a disadvantage compared to these people driving cars with foreign number plates because Maltese who get fined if they speed past speed cameras are at a disadvantage compared to foreign drivers who cannot be nabbed.

Other than the Sicilians, Malta has become haven to a number of other nationalities, for various reasons. The challenge facing us is how to ensure the laws are obeyed and relations between the various new components of the Maltese islands promoted and enhanced.