Though this principle may seem simple, self-evident, obvious and indeed taken for granted today, in reality, it constitutes the quintessence of a nation's liberty.
It is the cornerstone, the sine qua non of a true democracy. The true care and the strive for the safeguard of the welfare and prosperity of the Maltese people depends upon it.
Had it not been for the fact that the Nationalist Party since its birth had always sought for, and after much travail, achieved, independence for these Islands, we would not be in the state in which we are today. Our history goes to show that other political parties did not have the faith and long term vision which our Party had. The Labour Party, for one, called the glorious day of September 1964, a day of shame. This is the same short-sightedness we had to lament and then overcome when this country, given its independent political and sovereign position, adhered in full membership to the European Union. Fortunately, today, these are historical bygones, a matter of the past, as both parties now agree on independence and our joining the European Union.
Independence should always have been our common goal and its maintenance should be our common steadfast determination. A nation's future and its survival and development should not depend on outside interests, factors or foreign leaders. Its objectives as a State should primarily remain in the hands of its citizens serving the legitimate interests of those same countrymen. Independence from colonial rule, the recognition of these islands by the international community as a fully fledged independent state, was considered by the Nationalist Party as the first step that would allow our people to govern themselves democratically and to contribute to the welfare of the international community for the betterment of mankind.
After 21 September 1964, Malta returned back to its legitimate place, in the consort of nations, within the Council of Europe and the United Nations. We embraced firmly democracy and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Believing that the democratic system is of fundamental value. We became a nation eager to work and contribute as best as possible towards the building of a world were democracy, peace, justice and freedom are strengthened: contributing directly and indirectly to a better world; cherishing stability and respect between nations; safeguarding the common heritage of man: encouraging decrease in expenditure on armaments towards the furtherance of sustainable development; supporting all those who in their respective countries strove and are striving for the strengthening of these common goals.
The European Union has served us on this road for the achievement of these aims. Most importantly, on accession to the Union, we did not lose our independence. We are not the subjects of Europe but full free members sitting equally around the table. More so as we saw in the first six months of this year at the head of it. An achievement which the Nationalist Party had believed in and had resisted the argument of those who were labouring under an inferiority complex and doubting our countries abilities.
Our Independence must be defended most importantly in the heart and in the minds. In the past we struggled against those who mistakenly thought that foreigners are always somehow superior to us, and that we would fare better under foreign rule. This inferiority complex served our foreign rulers. We should beware lest it reemerge in other forms, in confrontations with foreign friends, warm or more lukewarm. The historical development of our accession to the European Union offers us experiences and examples which we have the liberty to see objectively, as worth, or not worth, following. Since we have the same sovereign and autonomous control as all other EU countries, this obviously, a natural process. We are and remain a separate state which is not subject to the authority of any other state, a fully fledged subject of international law.
On this day whilst feeling proud of our achievements we need to resist ideas which we deem alien to the Maltese European Philosophy of life. It should not be an issue that we do not always share the same views of those we meet in Brussels. We should stand our ground on fundamental principles, in bio-ethics, our philosophy of life, the family, the human dignity, our profoundly democratic and egalitarian political ideals. We should not be ashamed of what we stand for. We should not be led along the path that we do not believe in, perhaps fearing an isolation on fundamental vital principles.
The Party which achieved independence celebrates this day with a new leader. Adrian Delia must feel proud that he occupies the seat which was George Borg Olivier's - the man who through his courage, diplomacy, intelligence and long term vision obtained for us this status [cunctando restituit rem]. Or that of Eddie Fenech Adami who through his dogged perseverance, patience managed to negotiate successfully our adherence to the European Union. What George Borg Olivier always aimed at even whilst unfurling the flag of independent Malta. Truly, this is a day which we should celebrate and venerate.