I am one of those who remain unconvinced that this country needs some radical reform of its constitution, as is frequently stated by some people. They argue that the constitution was written in times which were completely different from today's political conditions in circumstances that were also completely different, which is true.
Even so, it seems that over the years we have managed well enough the changes that became necessary by adopting stand alone legislation and constitutional amendments. In itself, the constitution gives no impression of being threadbare or antiquated. Actually the need is to insist that it gets applied coherently, which hasn't always been the case. Too often, while the word of the constitution has been obseerved, its spirit has not been respected. Before any radical reform to it is contemplated, better first make sure that it is observed both in word and in spirit.
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PERIT MAURICE GALEA
In life, there are people you will always remember for their determination, dedication and integrity when carrying out their duties.
Perit Maurice Galea who died last week was such a person, one of the ablest professionals of his generation, endowed in every meaning of the word with the qualities which constitute what is known as a "public servant". I got to know him many moons ago when he was in charge of technical and professional services at the Malta Development Corporation (later called Malta Enterprise), where I was executive deputy chairman. Together with general managers Noel Zarb Adami and Vince Farrugia, we faced enormous challenges among which: factories closing down (clothing), consolidating (pharmaceuticals), starting production (engineering), plus state enterprises folding down or getting sold off; the beginning of construction on what became the Freeport project; the building of new factory premises; the establishment of a foundry; the beginning of a massive investment in microelectronics, today the ST Microelectronics project...
In all these and other ventures, Perit Galea's contribution, delivered without fanfare, was of top quality. Later, from a distance, I followed his endeavours which remained unfailingly invaluable.
Unfortunately, I was abroad on the day of his funeral. He deserved the highest esteem. My deep condolences go to his family.
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NEUTRALITY TODAY
Some people who believe in Malta's neutrality and agree with it (about this they're correct) still consider it however in terms which were better suited to the years when it was first introduced as a policy of the Maltese state. Since that time, the geostrategic circumstances of our region and of the world as a whole have changed, even fundamentally.
Their approach presents an opening to whoever disagrees with neutrality or is sceptical about it to insist that indeed, even if neutrality could have been seen as valid when it was first introduced, now it no longer is.
And yet, the idea that neutrality is no longer relevant for these islands is totally mistaken. The fundamental principle of neutrality still is that the Maltese islands will not serve as a military threat to anyone, least of all to neighbouring peoples and countries. The formats that neutrality will take in the implementation of this principle will necessarily reflect the changes in the surrounding international environment, even as the principle itself remains valid and retains great political and diplomatic significance.