Thursday, April 27, 2006
New Europe
The Maltese really excelled last night. After a long day debating the future of the European Community in the presence of the European Commission Representative to Malta, they bussed us into Valletta for a dinner in our honour.
The coach stopped a few hundred yards short of the venue so we got out to walk through residential streets behind a brass band. On arriving at we were met by a bugler and drummer in traditional dress.
There is no doubt that, having been recently admitted as a full member of the EEC, Malta are determined to make their mark and are using their existing contacts and networks within the Mediterranean and in the Commonwealth to do so. Already they are punching above their weight in my view.
The coach stopped a few hundred yards short of the venue so we got out to walk through residential streets behind a brass band. On arriving at we were met by a bugler and drummer in traditional dress.
There is no doubt that, having been recently admitted as a full member of the EEC, Malta are determined to make their mark and are using their existing contacts and networks within the Mediterranean and in the Commonwealth to do so. Already they are punching above their weight in my view.
