EU's SMALLEST MEMBER HAS BIG ROLE

The Mediterranean island of Malta is the smallest member of the European Union and quite possibly its most prosperous – 5 percent growth last year and an unemployment rate of below 3 percent. Its main headache these days is its geographical position because that makes it the number one landfall for desperate boat people from Syria, the Maghreb, and the deepest Africa – a burden it shares with Italy. Successive Maltese governments never miss an opportunity to remind the other European Union members of their collective obligation. So it’s no surprise that migration is high on Malta’s agenda now that it has assumed the rotating presidency of the European Council (made up of the heads of state and government of the EU member countries) from January 1.

Malta joined the European Union in 2004, but this is the first time that it is taking on the six-month EU presidency. Until June 30, Malta is responsible for planning and chairing all ministerial meetings in Brussels. Recently, in February, it also hosted a leadership summit of European heads of state and government, as well as a succession of meetings of senior EU officials.

Holding the EU presidency provides a member state with an opportunity to shape the EU agenda in line with its own particular concerns and goals, and to reach agreement on new legislation. In addition to migration, Malta’s priorities include security, the single market, social inclusion, maritime affairs, and stability in the Mediterranean region.

But Malta is still president in March, when the United Kingdom government wants to begin negotiating its divorce from the European Union. Which is a pity, says Malta’s ambassador to Washington, Pierre Clive Agius, because the Brexit talks are sure to dominate EU business, and will overshadow Malta’s agenda.

As Ambassador Agius pointed out in a recent interview, even though, for the sake of continuity, the presidency is supported by the two countries that previously had the same function, it’s no mean feat for his country. Even in far-flung Washington, the presidency means added work for the Malta embassy. And the embassy has a diplomatic staff of two.

As Ambassador Agius made clear in the interview, Malta is a small island with an oversize history reflecting its strategic position in the center of the Mediterranean. Throughout the centuries, Malta has changed hands more times than a football in a series of passing plays – and the transition was usually forceful. In a brief time-line, the Carthaginians lost it to the Romans, and it was in Roman times that St. Paul was shipwrecked in Malta en route to Rome to stand trial. St. Paul converted the Maltese to Christianity. From Roman rule, it passed to the Arabs, who lost it to the Normans, who surrendered it to Castilian feudal lords, who handed it -- on papal instructions -- to the last of the Crusaders, the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, who ruled it for so long (over 250 years) that they became known as the Knights of Malta. The knights lost without a fight it to the French, who in turn were ejected by the British who gave Malta its independence
in the 1960s.

Diplomatic Connections: Yours is a small country with a diplomatic service to match, so how is Malta coping with a role that had previously been held by larger member states, such as France or Germany.

Ambassador Agius: It’s quite a challenge for a country with our resources. We’ve hosted European events in Malta, but this is a semi-permanent affair because it’s going to go on for six months. Undoubtedly we’ll be stretched and tested, but the fact that we are small plays in our favor because we go the table without a hidden agenda, as an honest broker, and in fact the maxim chosen for our six-month presidency is “Malta: A committed EU member state.” This is very indicative. We will be seeing all the European heads of state and government come to Malta. There are about seven formal ministerial meetings happening in Malta, besides many other committee meetings happening at EU level which rotate with the presidency.

Diplomatic Connections: So Malta becomes the epicenter of senior meetings, starting with a summit of the council of ministers and going all the way down.

Ambassador Agius: Indeed, this is exactly it. The presidency will be Brussels-based, so many things will be conducted by Malta, but happening in Brussels. A good number of meetings – important meetings will be held in Malta. This obviously gives visibility to the country, but Malta also has an opportunity to give back to Europe.

Diplomatic Connections: You mentioned not having an agenda, however, is it not the practice of the presidential country to specify objectives, which it would like to achieve, and doesn’t Malta have a number of them?

Ambassador Agius: Yes, these are what we call the priorities of the presidency. First of all, we are part of a trio. Before us there was Slovakia, and before Slovakia there was the Netherlands, and our priorities are designed in conjunction with the trio, so there is an element of continuity. Malta has chosen issues closer to our heart and closer to our interests. For the first time, these objectives are being accompanied by concrete proposals.

Diplomatic Connections: Could you mention a few of these proposals?

Ambassador Agius: There’s the European Neighbor objective. Malta is the bridge between North Africa and Europe; therefore, what happens in North Africa is of direct interest to us. This is going to be one priority. Likewise, there is also the Eastern Neighborhood Priority – what happened in Ukraine and so on. Then there is migration, which remains a very hot issue on the European agenda. Malta knows the subject very well. Migration is a phenomenon which Malta has to deal with. There’s also other core European objectives, such as the European Single Market, which we consider the gem of the European Union, and there we have some really interesting projects – concluding on the waiver of telephone roaming charges across Europe. We’re also concerned about terrorism and what’s happening with terrorism in Europe, and Malta will continue on the work that’s being done and take it forward. Of course, there are the social issues, and one of them is to share our experiences in gender equality. Malta has been extremely successful here, and one of the issues we will be very eager to share with our partners is our success, and we will take this to the European table.

Diplomatic Connections: Can we develop the immigration aspect? You talk about migration, and not refugees. Are we talking about the same thing?

Ambassador Agius: No, these are two different things. Refugees are those in difficulties who are escaping a conflict and if it can be proven, they have a right for asylum, protection. Malta, as part of the international community is obliged to offer protection to refugees. Concurrently, there is the issue of migration. Migration is the flow of people which still needs to be defined: some will submit their asylum request and it will be studied, to see if they should be accorded asylum status and offered protection -- whether they are migrants and whether they are illegal. Therefore, they are two separate issues.

Diplomatic Connections: Isn’t the big problem that Malta and its Mediterranean EU neighbors face this exodus either from conflict situations or from countries with serious economic problems. Isn’t that a refugee crisis?

Ambassador Agius: It can be a refugee crisis. The number one problem we are now facing is the exodus of Syrians. For the most part these are individuals with their families escaping conflict, running away to protect their lives. Therefore, once they go through the process to see whether these are being persecuted, they will be granted asylum and will be defined as refugees with all that it brings. Members of the international community have put their names to ratified conventions to respect and protect the human lives of refugees, and we are obliged to give them shelter. However, someone might say, I am from Syria, but may be what is called an economic refugee: he wants to migrate to the north of Europe to find a job and a better life. That is a completely different kind of situation. The member states are not obliged to offer that kind of opportunity to come to their country and work illegally.

Diplomatic Connections: Either way, your prime minister has in the past objected to the fact that Malta and possibly Italy bear an unfair share of the burden.

Ambassador Agius: Absolutely. We are frontier EU countries. So definitely we bear the brunt of it. Greece, Italy, Malta. Now that they’ve discovered the eastern route, the land route. And we have been insisting for ten years on putting this issue of migration on the European agenda. Malta contributed a lot to bring it to the European table. As border countries we are at a disadvantage. Since we’re an island nation, and therefore our borders are maritime in contrast to what other countries may decide we cannot build fences on the sea. Actually, we have to do the opposite. If we get to know about a boat in distress we have to go out and save it because these are our obligations. So, in a way, our situation is even tougher. We’re both a frontier and a maritime country.

Diplomatic Connections: What proposals is your presidency putting forward in this regard?

Ambassador Agius: The European Council has worked a lot on this issue of migration, especially since last year when we’ve seen those episodes of tens of thousands of people crossing into Europe, into Germany. And there is a mechanism which has been agreed upon, and Malta has defined a way how to push forward the implementation which has been a bit weak. So Malta will be giving a lot of visibility to the implementation of this agreement. I have to say, however, that Malta is very sensitive to the history of migration. Malta has one of the world’s highest per capita asylum applications; it’s in the top fifteen. Malta is still prepared to take its share and express solidarity with Germany and other countries. We do this because we know what we passed through and are trying very hard to set an example. If the smallest member state can do it, then others should do it as well.

Diplomatic Connections: But in Malta’s case isn’t there a space problem – with a population of more than 400,000, and a small island, there has to be a quantitative limit to the number of people you can take in.

Ambassador Agius: Of course, Malta is the second most densely populated country in the world, and it’s a Mediterranean island the size of Washington, D.C. The population exceeds 450,000, and the infrastructure for what it is. So, definitely, Malta has many challenges at every level – hospitals, education, but also security. Nonetheless, we have been very clear that we will take our fair share, and we’ll do it as a matter of principle, and because we want to contribute. This is an element which you will see horizontally in our presidency, that Malta will apply principle to politics. Clearly, we cannot afford to take in thousands, but we will take our fair share.

Diplomatic Connections: The presidential agenda usually includes a cultural dimension. In this case, there is also the prospect that Valetta will be the cultural city of Europe in 2018. So is there a cultural part to this Maltese presidency program?

Ambassador Agius: I think it was (Jean) Monnet, one of the founding fathers of Europe, who said, “If I were to start constructing Europe again, I would start from culture.” I believe that culture is the vehicle for politics. It is through culture that we can talk and understand each other. For the presidency we’re bringing to Washington Maltese artists and Maltese exhibitions: one of the foremost cultural ambassadors of Malta, Simon Schembri, one of the best classical guitarists. He has a very eloquent repertoire, and I’m very excited about it. We will be doing other events.

Diplomatic Connections: How do you encapsulate Malta when Americans who have never heard of it ask you: What is Malta – and you only have half a minute because you’re in a hurry?

Ambassador Agius: Malta’s role in history is much larger than its size. How do you explain it to the Americans? I tell them, think of Malta in terms of Hawaii. It’s off the American mainland; Malta is off mainland Europe. We are insular by mentality because history is our organic border. In half a minute what do I explain? Do I explain the geophysical position of Malta or that it was a stepping stone for every world power? When Napoleon learned that the British had left Malta he remarked, “I would have rather seen them on the hills of Montmartre than in Malta.” Or General Patton who in World War II planned the (Allied) counteroffensive from Malta? Do I explain about the Knights of Malta? It is one of the most difficult subjects. In a way, it’s the British heritage; in another way it’s Baroque, the Mediterranean lifestyle with Anglo-Saxon attitudes. These are the issues which I convey to people.

Diplomatic Connections: What is the state of bilateral relations with the United States?

Ambassador Agius: Our bilateral relations are excellent. We have a lot of dialogue going on. Very recently we had a U.S. delegation in Malta. We regularly get senators in Malta, and we share with them our concerns which converge with the interests of the United States. And with the (EU) presidency we also keep the Americans informed of Malta’s concerns.

Diplomatic Connections: And those concerns include what’s going on in Libya?

Ambassador Agius: Our interest is to see a stable Libya, a Libya that is contributing to the international community, that is reaping the fruits of its investments, that is a stable democracy. We want to see Tunisia stable, with a vibrant democracy, and a flourishing economy. Again, the same with Egypt. It’s beneficial for all to see a peace process in the Middle East that is progressing. We believe these issues contribute to the stability of Europe. There can be no security in Europe unless there is security in the Mediterranean – and vice-versa.

Diplomatic Connections: For the Americans, the Libyan situation is the one that causes most concern, in part because of its unstable political situation, and also because now it has become a foothold for ISIS as it gets squeezed out of other areas. Presumably, the Maltese, by proximity and by business interests know a great deal about what’s happening in Libya – perhaps more than almost anyone else: do you share this with the Americans?

Ambassador Agius: This is how close we are: if you were to take a plane flight from Malta to Tripoli it would take you about an hour and 20 minutes. If you were to take a plane from Malta to Rome it would take you an hour and 20 minutes. So Malta is equidistant. We’re neighbors with all that implies – an organic flow of people, tourism, business, etc. It’s unavoidable that we have access to their markets and they to our markets, and we contribute a lot in our way. We have friends that are Libyans and maintain regular visits; additionally, we contribute in any way possible. There is an element of ISIS, but there has been a lot of progress there. We have excellent relations with the U.S., excellent cooperation, we get our military training in the United States. This is part of our common thread.

Diplomatic Connections: But Malta is not actually a member of the coalition against ISIS.

Ambassador Agius: No because Malta’s constitution is built around the concept of neutrality, and it’s stipulated that we can only participate in operations if they are United Nations Security Council mandated. This explains the reason why Malta is not included in the list of coalition countries. When there were operations in Libya, that was a different story: that was UN mandated and Malta could contribute and did so logistically, using Malta for transshipment of aid to the Libyans and more.

Diplomatic Connections: What would you like the incoming administration to do in relation to U.S.-Malta bilateral relations?

Ambassador Agius: The first American personality in history to urge independence for Malta was Abraham Lincoln; he was 100 years ahead of the Maltese thinking of independence for themselves. Our bilateral relations have a certain amount of momentum going on. We’re hearing a lot about this administration, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. We have to give it time. No doubt that we will continue to build on the relationship, that we will have new projects both bilaterally and at the EU level. Europe and the U.S. share the same values and objectives, always supporting each other. We want human rights to be the beacon for everyone, to be enjoyed by everyone; we wish for prosperity: there is an organic convergence there.

Diplomatic Connections: On a personal note, you were previously Malta’s ambassador in Warsaw, and before that in Paris and in Brussels. Does the work change from heading a diplomatic mission in an important European country to heading one in the United States?

Ambassador Agius: It changes a lot. Take the presidency. My Maltese colleagues in other EU member states will have to coordinate monthly lunches, and briefings as presidents of the European Council. Here, it is the EU delegation that undertakes this coordination. And I’m extremely pleased, not only because they take the burden, but because the EU delegation is extremely competent. My colleague David O’Sullivan is a remarkable ambassador with a very good vision. This is the correct image of Europe. That already is a big difference between Europe and the posting in Washington, D.C. In other respects, work here never, never ends. First of all, we are six hours behind Europe, which means I have to deal with the requests of the day before from Malta, and by the time I’ve finished I’m dealing with work generated in Washington. So really, it’s around the clock. And it’s a different strategy completely. You have to keep your eyes on Congress, and the departments – the State Department, of course, so you’re really – you can never stop.

Diplomatic Connections: And presumably there’s a Maltese diaspora.

Ambassador Agius: There’s an interesting Maltese diaspora in several parts of the United States – in New York, Washington, Detroit, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Also, of course, Washington is not the whole of the United States, you have to reach out to other parts of the country: these are challenges you have to fit somehow on the agenda. It requires a lot of energy and travel. Furthermore because we also cover Canada from Washington, D.C.

Diplomatic Connections: As the presidency extends to June, Malta will be in the hot seat for the Brexit negotiations, which are due to start in March. What did Brexit mean for Malta as both a former colony and a member of the European Union?

Ambassador Agius: Malta is a former British colony. English is an official language in Malta, but also the administration system, and our education system, and the court procedures owe a lot to English systems, so for Malta the United Kingdom is very important, economically important, socially -- there are many Maltese living in the UK and UK citizens living in Malta. We cooperate a lot economically. Our legislation is very close to the British, our interests too. I suppose like all of the member states, seeing the United Kingdom wanting to leave its place at the table is painful. It appears as though the much debated Article 50 [the measure in the Lisbon Treaty that will begin the process of ending the United Kingdom’s EU membership] will be triggered during Malta’s presidency, and two things are likely to happen. Number one it will overshadow our presidency completely, all the good work that Malta hopes to accomplish, all the interesting, concrete projects will be overshadowed by Brexit.

Diplomatic Connections: And the second thing?

Ambassador Agius: The second thing is, we’re going to see – especially in the U.S. – a battering of the image of Europe. In all honesty I think it’s unjustified because, if you look at Malta, the European Union is the best thing that ever happened to it. We’ve not only seen significant economic progress, we’ve seen progress which has changed the face of Malta: social changes, modernization of our political system, modernization of our political debate, a sense of Europe in Malta. Unfortunately, we keep on seeing those images of migrants wanting to cross into Europe. They say Europe is melting: Europe isn’t melting at all. There are a lot of projects going on and it’s very exciting. Of course, there are negatives. But this is how Europe works. This is why we have councils where every member comes and they have their own national identity, their own national interests, to try to get consensus and sometimes we don’t manage. But this is work in progress. The standards of living in Europe are unparalleled, and we always forget what Europe brought. We tend to focus on negativity. We forget that the worst enemies ever have become the strongest friends, and that their economies are so intertwined that they have made sure that Europe will never go to war again.

Diplomatic Connections: How well has Malta recovered from the 2008 economic crash?

Ambassador Agius: Malta is the best performing economy not only in Eurozone, but also in Europe. We have effectively full employment: unemployment is below 3 percent, growth was around 5 percent last year, and this year we are confident that growth will continue to be significant. Malta is performing remarkably well by any standards. Today, we developed niche markets, which are state of the art. Currently, we have aeronautics engineering and research successfully continues.

Diplomatic Connections: The main support of the economy is what?

Ambassador Agius: Tourism is the important pillar, alongside financial services, and a multitude of services including education.

Diplomatic Connections: Does Malta seem attractive to companies seeking to remain in Europe after Brexit?

Ambassador Agius: I would not discount that. Malta is very competitive when it comes to attracting foreign investment, but competitive with principles. So when I meet people, I say, listen, you’re not coming to Malta because you’re not going to pay taxes, because you will pay taxes. You’ll come to Malta because it’s a good package. You have a good, very flexible workforce, which can compete with the German workforce in productivity. We’re in the Eurozone, we are anchored in Europe, which gives you access to the huge European market, English-speaking country, and a very down-to-earth Anglo-Saxon mentality. The lingua franca of business is English. This gives a very good presentation, but one has to look at the whole package. We have a very good investor, Crane Currency [of Boston] which is building a banknote printing facility in Malta. The construction of their facility will be concluded by the end of this year, and I think next year they will begin operating.

Diplomatic Connections: Thank you, Ambassador Agius.