Is-7 Principju:

Inhaddmu tassew is-solidarjeta, fost hwejjeg ohra billi nkunu lesti nerfghu parti mill-piz.

The Lomé Convention, which governs relations between the European Union and the countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group, formed the basis of the European Community’s co-operation policy from 1975 until 28 February 2000.  The year 2000 marked the reform of this EU-ACP partnership through the Cotonou Agreement. 

The number one objective of this new partnership is to reduce poverty, and the ways in which this can best be done will determine the strategies for cooperation.  The need is for an integrated approach that takes account of the complex nature of poverty, and this approach will concentrate on three areas of co-operation:

• economic development;

• social and human development; and

• the integration of regional co-operation.

Objectives for every area of co-operation are:

•  equality between men and women;

•  the sustainable management of the environment; and

•  the strengthening of institutional capacities.

These areas of co-operation and objectives are similar to what we often seek and desire for our own country.  In fact most of the discussions regarding Malta’s current bid to join the EU focus on possible benefits from similar areas of co-operation and objectives.  These issues surely merit a thorough and exhaustive internal discussion so that we will be in a better situation to decide the future of our country.  However if we eventually join the European Union our obligations will be mainly on the “donor” side of development co-operation partnerships.  This brings us to the main question of this short analysis:  “In our discussions on Malta’s current application to join the EU, are we giving sufficient attention to how we will be able to fulfil our international obligations to promote sustainable development, reduce poverty and advance the conditions for peace?” 

A quick scan of the current debate indicates that our discussions are skewed towards what our country might gain or lose, with the result that we are not considering adequately our moral duties to help the poor and to try to create a more just world.  This apparent omission is not only from the part of government and businesses but also from that of the third sector. This is that particular set of organisations variously called and including NGOs, nonprofits, people's organisations, voluntary associations, voluntary development organisations, civil society organisations, unions, religious organisations and co-operatives.  In order to bring about transformational changes aimed at addressing root causes of global crises, particularly those of deepening poverty, environmental destruction and social disintegration, the third sector locally needs to examine its strengths and weaknesses, its governance and management, its relations with government and business organisations, its role in social, economic and political development and the legal environment in which it exists. 

The government sector, the business sector and the third sector are urged to become more familiar with any opportunities and threats for solidarity and compassion for the fate and well-being of others, including unknown distant others, that might arise from eventual membership of the EU.