Today Malta celebrates 60 years since it became an independent nation.  60 years since the flag of colonialism was lowered once and for all, to be replaced by the red and white Maltese flag, leading the country into the depths of the unknown.

What has transpired since has probably exceeded the expectations of the very first activists for Malta's independence back in the early 1800s.  Malta today is a recognised and highly-respected (despite the best efforts of the purveyors of the odd scandal here and there) member of the international community.

Still a member of the Commonwealth and now an esteemed member of the European Union - with a citizen as the head of the European Parliament no less - Malta's journey in the last sixty years has been one which the country and its people can be proud of.

As with any other country, there have been challenges: some out of Malta's control but others purely self-inflicted. Indeed one can say that even today the country is still going through the growing pains associated with what is, within the European context, quite a new country.

Today it continues to face challenges - some old, some new.

The country remains in many ways, divided.  Divisions exist particularly in the political landscape - recent years has seen it become more tense, more spiteful, and, amongst supporters, even more hateful.

Even the very subject of Independence Day was controversial politically: the day was 'adopted' and celebrated by the Nationalist Party (which achieved it), whereas the Labour Party preferred to celebrate Republic Day and Freedom Day as when Malta actually obtained its independence.

Hearing Prime Minister Robert Abela say on Sunday that it was time to put this aside, and that Independence Day is for everyone to celebrate and not one party or the other, was refreshing in its unifying tone.

But it will take a lot more than this from both sides of the political divide to move past the country's political division.  Even now on social media, one can observe fake profiles purposely stoking arguments and, in some cases, even hatred in an effort to mobilise anger.

But let's look forward - the main question to reflect upon today is on what Malta we want in 60 years' time.  There are several important challenges which the country is facing right now, the solutions to which will heavily impact the answer to that question.

Challenges related to population growth, to over-development, to the energy sector, to immigration and emigration, to tourism, and to how the economy is set up to function are all currently before us as a country.

How the government handles them in the coming years will be a defining part the country's future.  It feels like after 60 years of being an independent nation, Malta is now at the crossroads to define how the next 60 years will look.