Enough with this neutrality nonsense

There’s nothing positive about being the odd one out for the wrong reasons. The Irish are currently discussing their neutrality in view of the fast-changing world and the state of foreign affairs post-Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Their position may remain the same, but at least there is a discussion that implies, by the very minimum, a reaction to what’s going on abroad. In Malta, we have no discussion of such sort.

The Labour government is still stuck with a dogmatic approach towards neutrality, although today, this position is derived from convenience and not out of principle. In addition, Malta is wrong in its position even by its legal interpretation of neutrality. Malta can and should support Ukraine in having security guarantees given these guarantees are Ukraine’s sovereign choice. Ukraine as a prospective EU member is also part of Europe’s defensive framework. The idea that an EU member state should back out of its obligations in the face of a collective threat to the EU is absurd.

There are very clear and practical problems with a “neutrality” stance in today’s European context. If Europe is subject to hostile activity both by direct or indirect warfare and hybrid warfare such as with energy and trade, what would the purpose of neutrality serve, exactly? To leave the EU? As for national sovereignty, Malta too can run the risks of hostile aggression even if the risks are mild, and Malta should have the option to conjure its own security arrangements if it chose to. Ironically, we already do when the case requires.

Ever since the administration of Lawrence Gonzi, Malta made extensive use of French security services to monitor the situation in Libya, receive up-to-date information, and even allowed the French security services to aid the rebels via Maltese territory by providing them with communication equipment. And these arrangements continued through the Joseph Muscat administration. So, Malta does choose when it requires, according to its national interest, its own security guarantees. Imagine how ridiculous it would have been if the Nationalist administration would have said that Malta would not choose to cooperate with the security services of a foreign nation for the sake of its own security because it is “neutral”.

The concept of neutrality does not make sense for Malta both in principle and in practice and it is high time that it is discussed along with all of its foreign policy.

Mark Camilleri

Website Editor
Historian and Publisher