There was a time when the EU was called the travelling road show.  Summits used to be held in different capitals around Europe, indeed Malta’s application to join the EU was approved in Athens. But  times have changed. The EU used to hold meetings in Luxembourg and Strasbourg, but nowadays, business is usually done in Brussels, with only the European Parliament occasionally holding the odd-plenary session in the parliaments of Luxembourg or Strasbourg.

So it came as quite a surprise that there was agreement to hold the extraordinary summit on migration here in Malta with African partners, followed by an informal summit for EU members.

The Valletta Summit on Migration was long in coming. Many thought it would be more of the same, the usual pomp and fanfare and a vague and non-committal communiqué issued at the end.

The traffic gridlock did not materialise, largely due to the fact that many people decided to stay at home. Although there were a couple of moments of hilarity, such as a soiled red carpet near parliament and the French President turning up at Castille a tad too early, the event was well organised and went off without a hitch.

There were many worries about security and more, but things were smooth, well run and the presentations and ceremonies were quite eye-catching. But most importantly, this was a historical summit, because for the first time, leaders from both sides of the spectrum have come together to try and find a solution.

Some might say that aside from the Trust Fund, there has not been much decided. But in reality, there has. As we mentioned, for the first time, leaders from points of departure and leaders from destination points have gathered around a table and truly listened to the problems that each side faces.

And so, the attention will now shift to the Commonwealth Heads of Government visit which will take place at the end of the month. From the organisational point of view, it seems like things should be pretty much sorted, if the last couple of days are anything to go by. The last Summit held in Malta was between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in December 1989. That meeting, held on a Soviet warship in the Grand Harbour, contributed to the dissipation of the Cold War. This one, hopefully, might be remembered as the one which preceded a different mentality being taken towards the issue of migrating people. Let us hope that the issue will continue to be debated when European leaders next convene in Brussels. Let us also hope that the matter is discussed again at length during CHOGM. And let us also hope that the matter will now become one which is discussed on a global level, within the United Nations, in the spirit of saving living and our humanity. Failure to do so would be a failure to ourselves as human beings.