Three years ago, Malta became a member of the European Union. Twenty years ago, the Nationalist Party won a hard-fought election which paved the way for Malta’s membership in this organisation.

Simon Cassar in EU membership (TMID, 3 May) seems disappointed that Malta’s membership in the EU has so far not brought about the changes that he expected. He says that apart from new roads being built, little has been achieved since Malta’s membership.

Well, I will use the old saying to make myself understood quickly – Rome was not built in one day.

It took years for the Nationalist Party to rebuild the country after taking over the government in 1987. This was done in small steps. Over a number of years, the Nationalist government rebuilt the country’s infrastructure – by just mentioning the fact that today we do not have regular electricity cuts, that we always have water in our taps and that we can phone our relatives and friends without fearing that our neighbours are listening in to our conversation because of crossed lines you will get the idea of what I am talking about.

Likewise, it will take a few years for us to see the real benefits of EU membership. Mr Cassar says that after three years, the effects are still to be seen. He may be right, but I am sure that in a few years’ time, Mr Cassar will acknowledge that the “yes” vote he gave in the referendum four years ago would have helped the country start a new chapter.

We need to have patience. I am sure that in a few years’ time, we will all look back and feel proud that we made such a choice for our country.

What Mr Cassar also fails to understand is that not only is Malta getting financial help from the EU; it also has a voice within such a structure. If we had remained out of the EU, or entered into a partnership with it as was advocated by the Malta Labour Party, we would have not been able to participate in the decisions that are taken at EU level. Just remember that the next time you are about to complain.

Saviour Galea

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