Malta has made such a great success out of its membership of the EU that Joseph Muscat, an ardent NO campaigner for Malta’s membership 12 years ago, is now echoing Simon Busuttil, a vociferous advocate at the forefront of the YES campaign. Malta’s exit from the EU would be suicidal, so the victory of the UK’s leave vote was a bit of a shock – especially for those going to sleep with the news from the latest polls that were indicating victory for the Remain campaign, which kept them hoping until the very last minute – at least until they woke up to the news on Friday morning.

The majority of the Maltese believed – and still believes – that the UK’s exit from the EU is in the interests of no-one. It is not in the interests of Britain and its citizens, or of Europe or of the Commonwealth. And likewise it is not in Malta’s interest either.

Nonetheless, Brexit it was and we have to respect the sovereign decision of the British people while trying to grasp the extent of the consequences of such a decision on the UK itself, Europe and last, but definitely not least, on Malta.

 

Malta’s special relationship with the UK

For many years we were very close to the UK, even if at times it was a sort of love-hate relationship but, especially since obtaining independence, our relationship with the UK has been one that commanded mutual respect and true friendship. While Brexit is not the end of the world for Malta, it certainly carries implications and offers challenges. We have lost an extremely important ally –friend in the EU that helped us navigate our way through the European institutions, especially in our early years.

Apart from EU treaties, we have always had a special relationship with the UK via bilateral agreements and the Commonwealth. And it is definitely in our interests to continue fostering that relationship despite the UK being outside the EU, even if in certain areas we may well be limited by the types of agreement the UK reaches with the EU.

We have thousands of Maltese living, working, studying, or undergoing medical treatment in the UK. Others receive pensions from the UK or have a business that pretty much depends on it, such as some of those in the tourism or financial services sector. It is our duty to protect the interests of these individuals as much as the national interests in general. In this respect, the Maltese government has to strive to negotiate the best deal possible while being duly prepared for any eventuality that might be triggered by Brexit either directly or indirectly.

 

Simon Busuttil: an experienced and expert hand on the wheel

In this situation, Simon Busuttil came out as a true statesman in the making. He not only offered the government the full cooperation of the Nationalist Opposition but also his help on the matter.

If there is one area where Simon Busuttil is the uncontested experienced expert it is definitely in EU affairs and Malta’s treaty with the EU and its implications. He studied the subject. He was there with the league of extraordinary gentlemen who advocated a vision for Malta when others could not yet see it. He was there at the forefront with Eddie Fenech Adami and Lawrence Gonzi, proposing a vision in the midst of a campaign of misinformation. He was there when Malta was negotiating its access to the EU.

God forbid that Brexit indirectly triggers another European economic recession, but if it happens we will need the same type of roadmap and safe pair of hands as we had back in 2008. In spite of the impression he tried to convey during Friday’s press conference, the Prime Minister has inadvertently admitted that his government has no contingency plan for such an eventuality. Present economic growth on its own is no guarantee or safeguard – if anything it is a confirmation of the good work of the Gonzi administration that is no longer there to save the country in times such as these.

It would be a pity if, in the circumstances, the Prime Minister does not accept Simon Busuttil’s offer and neither would it be in the national interest.