Tag: neutrality
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Malta requests the help of Europe’s military alliance: neutrality is just an illussion
What happened yesterday at the European Council was very much expected and had even been forecast for a long time. We have also written about the risks posed by the Russian shadow fleet at Hurd’s Bank, and the Prime Minister was informed by various foreign and local sources of this risk. Malta is taking action…
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Internal policy discussions on defence and neutrality have renewed inside the Labour Party
This is not to present any glimmer of hope that the Labour Party has begun its road to the Enlightenment. However, I can confirm from various sources that the leadership and top officials of the Labour Party have renewed their internal discussion on neutrality and defence following the incident of “Conscience” outside the Maltese coast.…
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Deputy-Prime Minister says military neutrality but with a disclaimer: security
In his closing speech at the Labour Party’s Annual General Conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ian Borg, stated that the Labour government is actively “upholding and strengthening Malta’s military neutrality while also ensuring Malta’s security”. He made the statement as an example to important and national issues which are actively being…
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Joining NATO no longer sounds far-fetched when neutrality can’t defend your borders
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Labour Party promoted the concept of “neutrality” as the best deterrent to war and the most effective security policy. The fewer weapons we have, we were told, the lower the risk of getting into trouble. Individuals like myself, who studied history but specifically Malta’s neutrality, and its history,…
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Main takeaways from the Prime Minister’s speech during the Labour Party’s Freedom Day celebrations
Yesterday’s Labour Party Freedom Day celebrations in Birgu were held during a supposed debate on Malta’s defence, which Labour has been using to go on the offensive against the Opposition. Undoubtedly, yesterday’s celebrations should have served the Labour Party to revisit its history in the context of today’s events, but no effort has been made…
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Taking cues from Russian propaganda
By now, it is very clear that rhetoric about being defenceless, having an “economy of peace” and upholding neutrality religiously aligns with the foreign policy Russia wants European nations to adopt. However, it is always good to hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. Alex Agius Saliba denies that he has a pro-Russian position, but…
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The consequences of breaking bicameral consensus on defence
Despite the fact that I find young politicians toying with serious matters they know little about as insufferable, I need to remind new readers, that the result of this infantile tit-for-tat on defence is the direct result of the Prime Minister’s total disregard of a bicameral consensus on defence that existed for decades. It’s Prime…
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A Constitutional Court that has never rejected the entry of foreign warships into national harbours
If you stretch the Labour government’s arguments on neutrality too far, you may even come to the conclusion that Malta’s membership with the European Union breaks Malta’s constitutional neutrality. In fact, I remember very well how Dom Mintoff and the Labour Party also made these arguments during their opposition campaign to Malta’s membership with the…
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Seeking the Trump dividend
Prime Minister Robert Abela seems intent on making sure he is quoted by the press for saying that Ukraine can’t win the war against Russia. He made this statement multiple times although it is absurd and goes against the spirit of constitutional neutrality. If you consistently want to invoke your neutrality about a conflict, why…
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Defence has nothing to do with Neutrality
Prime Minister Robert Abela delivered his regular Sunday sermon yesterday, sharing his views on the war in Ukraine. His remarks largely echoed Russian talking points, including the idea that Europe should not prioritise defence spending to avoid wars. Around ten days ago, a military base was raided by a group of criminals who stole up…
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The Nationalist Party makes the right call on consensus with the government over defence
The Nationalist Party is making the right call by requesting discussions with the government to reach a consensus on defence. Defence matters have traditionally been of sensitive importance, with consensus always being reached between the Government an the Opposition. Prime Minister Robert Abela disrespected this consensus during the last European Parliament election campaign as he…
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The ex-Foreign Affairs Minister who handed over border security to the Turkish navy is complaining that the RAF uses Cyprus as a base
Due to my professional attachment and sense of loyalty, it took me a very long time to realise the blatant opportunistic and deceiving character of Evarist Bartolo. In a Facebook post replete with lies and disinformation, the ex-Foreign Affairs Minister is complaining about the Royal Air Force using Cyprus as a base to unblock the…
