It was obvious wasn’t it? That the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader would have opposing views as to whether Malta’s membership in the European Union has been a successful exercise or otherwise.

These differing views came out in a conference on the EU and Enterprise, held last Monday.

Both have reason to believe in their statements. The Nationalist Party has for long advocated Malta’s entry in the EU and worked hard to see that the European dream becomes a reality. For its part, the Malta Labour Party strongly opposed EU membership, believing that partnership was a better option. The people ultimately decided in favour of membership, with Labour shifting its political position by accepting the public’s choice and saying Malta should work hard to obtain the best out of such a scenario.

It was therefore to be expected that during a conference which basically discussed EU membership, with special emphasis on enterprise, the two political leaders would come out with different views on the topic.

While two years of EU membership have, for Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, been the basis for a better future for Malta, for Opposition Leader Alfred Sant these two years have exposed deficiencies in Malta’s preparatory process leading to membership.

Both are correct in their interpretations. And, while for some Dr Gonzi expressed optimism that Malta was on the right track, as the results obtained so far are a clear indication that Malta has gained substantially from EU membership and Dr Sant was too pessimistic in his approach, others may say that Dr Gonzi was too optimistic while Dr Sant was being a realist. It depends on the way you see it.

What is certain is that it was a known fact that Malta would not have changed overnight with EU membership, but that the process was an investment for a better future. It was a known fact that no magic wand would have transformed Malta into the place-to-be on 1 May 2004, but that the country’s development would have to be gauged over a longer period of time.

And this is what precisely is happening. EU membership has brought with it several advantages. The benefits will not be seen now but in the years to come. As Dr Gonzi said, thanks to EU membership, Malta has significantly reinforced its international standing in terms of investment on a global scale. Membership has injected new added value to Malta’s role within other international networks serving as gateways for forging new business partnerships for the benefit of local business.

The agreement to have SmartCity in Malta, a project costing millions and one that will create 3,000 jobs, as well as HSBC’s decision to set up a call centre in Malta, would have probably remained just a dream if Malta had remained out of the EU. By becoming members, the possibility of new opportunities for investment in Malta – and investment means more jobs too – has increased.

Targets that have been set and to which Malta must abide because of EU membership – including, for example, the control of the public deficit – have led to more responsibility and commitment, which would have otherwise been missing if Malta remained out of the EU.

Of course, there is much that still needs to be done. What Dr Sant pointed out in his address has its own significance, because what he said is true. There are areas which have not been covered well and which need attention. The pharmaceutical sector and female employment are only two of them.

Yet on the whole, European Union membership has so far proved to be a positive experience for the country. The benefits of membership may not have been so glaringly obvious to one and all, but deep down they have started to be felt. The more time passes, the more they will be apparent.