Malta’s current foreign policy is being driven by the Prime Minister’s self-interest and has nothing to do with the “national interest”. The Prime Minister is isolating Malta from its European allies under the pretence of maintaining good relations with the US and invoking the old notion of neutrality. His Deputy and Foreign Minister is being used as a nominal representative, figuratively placing one foot inside the European establishment while the Prime Minister himself keeps the door firmly shut in pursuit of isolation.
The reason for isolation is self-interest: by avoiding European allies, the Prime Minister faces fewer checks and balances on his illiberal practices, such as the takeover of the justice system. Isolating Malta from its European allies gives the Labour government greater leverage and more freedom to disregard democratic values.
There are two new major political trends in Europe right now and Malta is on the wrong side of the political divide. There is the mainstream European trend which is aware that the world’s current challenges require Europe to be united in foreign policy, security and trade so as to successfully compete with the US and China. Then there is the other political strand, supported by the US government and the US far-right billionaire donors, which is mainly far-right and pro-Russian. This latter political movement wants to weaken the EU and European unity by focusing on “national interests” while foreign powers empower themselves with our national isolation.
Malta has chosen to be part of the latter trend. This is mostly based on self-interest and also corruption and it enables the Labour Party and its politicians to seek out their own personal interest. China is a major destination for the corruption of several Labour Party members. Multilateralism for the Labour Party is just an excuse to have a chaotic and arbitrary foreign-policy based on personal interest and corruption.
By abandoning the European allies, the Prime Minister isolates Malta even further. This has negative long-term repercussions because Malta has no organic allies with whom we share strategic interests except for Italy. However, we have no leverage in this relationship and we are not considered as an equal partner. Italy pulls much more weight in the Mediterranean and in Libya and we are currently not very significant to their strategic interests.
Effectively, Malta does not have its own international family. We are completely isolated and alone. Maltese diplomats reading this article will know very well what I am saying, having experienced the stress and trepidation of walking into halls filled with international delegates while facing the real risk of embarrassment at being completely ignored.
Now, this isolation and trepidation will only grow thanks to the Prime Minister’s selfishness and personal interests.
This is the time when Malta should be building bridges with its European allies and finding strategic partnerships in defence, energy and infrastructure. Instead we have Minister and Jonathan Attard and Sandro Chetcuti flying to China (along with several other corrupt Labour MPs) to sell penthouses and luxury apartments.
This is an unprecedented disaster in our foreign affairs.
Website Editor
Historian and Publisher
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