The role that Richard Cachia Caruana performs is not an easy one. It requires time, intelligence, dedication, saviness, organisation and a bit of ruthlessness. The Representation in Brussels, which Mr Cachia Caruana has headed for the past eight years, is a constant chore. The sheer volume, along with the mind-sapping complexity of the work carried out there is to be seen to be believed. We should know – we have seen it ourselves, as have others in our trade.

We have already said what we had to say about Mr Cachia Caruana in another leading article. In short, we believe that while he is a stickler for perfection, demanding if from all around him, he is one of Malta’s most able civil servants and certainly the most dedicated. The man is respected by his colleagues in Brussels and his businesslike approach has reaped the rewards for Malta. The Representation is always up to date and Mr Cachia Caruana’s ability to appraise situations and brief the government of Malta is another positive which will be missed. The man’s seriousness and knowledge gave European leaders and ambassadors a good impression of Malta and how we go about our business.

Effectively, Malta has denied itself of the one person who knows the bureaucratic nightmare which is the EU and its institutions like the back of his hand. We simply cannot understand how an ambassador – a civil servant – has been made to resign simply for implementing policy. Mr Cachia Caruana does not do as he pleases. It is a conversation piece that has cropped up many times – he acts on the orders of the Prime Minister after decisions are taken at cabinet and parliamentary level. The issue which was brought up by the Labour Party was a non-issue. Without going into the merits of what the Partnership for Peace was, and how the wheels of Brussels work, the issue referred to by the opposition in its motion calling for Mr Cachia Caruana’s resignation was neither nothing, nor something. If anything, the PL should have used its own yardstick in filing a motion against the Prime Minister, and not the civil servant who was implementing what had been decided at the appropriate levels. It is a hierarchy, a chain of command – Mr Cachia Caruana was doing what he should have been doing.

There will be some who will be rubbing their hands with glee at the news, and we repeat, why? Why would anyone be happy with a situation akin to Malta having shot itself in the foot? And now, of course, the talk will turn to who will be the person to replace him after the European Council at the end of June. Will we see people being brought out of retirement? Will it be a technocrat? Will it be a current politician? We will have to wait and see after June’s summit. What we do believe is that the country, and the citizens will be the ones to suffer as a result of what has unfolded.