It was 43 years ago that Malta obtained independence from British rule, embarking on a new road that was full of hope and expectations, but that was also difficult and uncertain. For the first time in our enriched history, we became masters of our own destiny. We started a new chapter.

The country has made great strides forward since then. Not without passing through hard times. It has been a long and winding road that has taken us from being a nation of strategic importance yes, but with little recognition and an even smaller political strength, to one that sits on the same table with the giants of Europe.

It was soon after independence that Malta timidly took the first steps towards building a tourism industry that quickly became one of the mainstays of the Maltese economy. The industry matured into one that seeks better quality tourists and, although there have been unsteady times and a genuine criticism to make things better, Malta has always taken good care of its visitors and aims to improve the services it provides.

Over the years it has built its infrastructure – roads and telecommunications in particular – to be able to meet with the ever-increasing demand of a growing population, a growing tourist sector and a growing industry, which is now adapting itself to the changing global circumstances, moving from one based on low-end manufacturing to one that is more inclined towards high-value products and services.

This has also helped to attract foreign investment which, added to the entrepreneurial skills of our own businessmen, created thousands of jobs. More importantly, the Maltese worker has proved to be versatile and flexible, able to learn new skills and adapt to new circumstances.

We can also boast of having a solid education system that seeks to bring out the best from each and every one of us because, as we all know, our greatest asset is our human resources, and not one person can be “lost” as Malta faces a highly competitive future. The investment that has been made in the education sector – particularly, but not only, at the tertiary level – shows a commitment to achieve better results in the future.

The country has completely changed since 21 September, 1964. We have little left of the British days except buildings that form part of our heritage, and an English language that gives us great advantages in the international sphere – although we must of course still cherish our own Maltese language. We have moved on.

The story does not end here. There is a future that beckons and all that has been done in these last 43 years – and before that, for that matter – must be seen in the light of what will happen from now onwards.

We must continue to strengthen the foundations on which we have all helped to build this country. The challenges that we are facing in a fast-moving world must be seen as giving us the chance to prove our worth. We should be pleased to have reached a generally high standard of living, which should encourage us to work even harder. But we cannot stop here.

We, as a nation and as individuals, must continue to build on the successes that we have achieved so far. We must use the experience we have gained to do things better. We must also learn from the mistakes we have committed and, most of all, avoid repeating them.