EU accession gives great political advantage to small states

I would like to congratulate Malta on its decision to join the European Union. Being a Dane, it genuinely pleases me to learn that the majority of the Maltese people have voted for EU membership.

I am of course aware of the fact that the country is split down the middle over membership. We know only too well what this means as we face a similar situation whenever we have to decide on EU matters. Somehow, the new always generates fear over perceived threats to our small country, but only the minority would want to see the country leave the EU today.

It is a common characteristic of small countries to keep a certain reservation in their attitude towards large countries and organisations.

It is easy for the people to form an idea that our nation, our distinctive character, our identity, independence and sovereignty could be threatened by the development of a new community spirit. Or to fear that our enterprises and our land will be bought up by foreigners, that we would have an inflow of foreign labour, or that investment will migrate to other countries.

We heard all these arguments from the eurosceptics before Denmark joined the European Economic Community in 1973 and before Greece, Spain and Portugal joined the EU, and, also, before the decision was taken to enlarge the Union with 10 new members, including Cyprus and Malta.

With our population standing at 5.3 million, we have an eternal self-contrived fear of being run down. I can therefore well understand the arguments that raged in Malta in the run-up to the referendum. Indeed, I can understand your situation even better as I have a social democratic background and had been active in trade unionism.

The Labour movement in Denmark has gone through the same fears. I felt the same fears too, but after having been members of the EU for 30 years already, we realise that these fears were self-contrived.

The EU's home market give small countries the opportunity of expanding their export trade. For the internal market to function, the EU has had to develop a comprehensive set of rules in order to ensure fair competition. Denmark has experienced a rise in trade, economic growth and employment since joining the EU.

The process of adapting to the internal market can be painful at first but the industries that were uncompetitive had to change their ways anyway.

Surveys show those enterprises and organisations that take part in European projects are the most innovative. Common minimum standards in social and labour market policies have ensured new rights for salary earners. The rules do not replace those that each country already has in place.

The Lisbon strategy will encourage enhanced employment and education, thereby helping to develop knowledge-based societies in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner.

The EU is undergoing dramatic changes. It will be meaningful to speak of a social Europe. All countries in the EU are welfare states. Their systems are organised and financed differently, and the level of welfare depends on the political priorities of each country.

But there is a common pattern. In the Nordic countries, we are known for having developed a unique Nordic welfare system. What is going on in Europe today is not deregulation of the welfare state but, on the contrary, we are instituting a common regulation, one that will contribute towards increased wealth and welfare to all.

Sovereignty is an especially sensitive subject because by joining the EU one of course gives up a bit of one's formal sovereignty and independence. However, one ought to keep in mind here that our countries' sovereignty is limited to their own territories. Furthermore, sovereignty is limited by the decisions and actions of the countries surrounding us. Denmark learned this from its own history. So should Malta.

A small country has to consider its vulnerability. Membership does mean giving up a certain amount of sovereignty, but then one shares in the pooling of sovereignty through influence in the making of common rules.

Who is giving up the largest share of their sovereignty, Malta, Luxembourg, Denmark? I would say Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the other large countries. It is these countries that used to decide for others in the past. Now we all sit around the same negotiating table, where it is the force of argument that counts, not economic or military strength.

Coming from a small country, I do not have the slightest doubt membership gives a great political advantage to small countries. With the enlargement of the EU to 25 countries, the majority of members will now be small-to medium-large countries.

Of course one can survive without the EU through free trade agreements etc. However, it is pure illusion to think that this will enhance a country's independence. Norway and Iceland have such agreements.

Yet, despite Norway's size and its strong economy (it has a oil and gas in the North Sea), it is so economically dependent on the rest of Europe that in its own interest it has implemented more than 98 per cent of all legislation passed within the EU. Iceland has had to do the same.

These two countries do not contribute anything to the making of the laws, they just adjust to EU rules and regulations. We, on the other hand, are there to do our part in the negotiation of common legislation. I personally find it better to have direct influence on the shaping of one's future than merely adjusting to the political will of others.

As to the drafting of the new constitution for Europe, I feel we must find the right model through which we can strengthen democracy at EU-level. This calls for a stronger role for the national parliaments and the scrutiny of their own governments in the council.

In Denmark, we have had a European affairs committee in parliament for more than 30 years. Regardless of who is in government, the European affairs committee plays a central role. It ensures a broad consensus over EU policies. This means that Danish policies do not change with a change in government. Other member states have copied this model.

The EU is not, and shall not, develop into a state. We have before us today the development of a new Europe. If all the applicant countries vote in favour of EU membership, we will have 25 countries in the EU. Bulgaria and Romania will follow in 2007. Also, Turkey and Croatia have applied for membership and there is no doubt that more will follow.

I look forward to working with Malta in the EU. Should you, contrary to our expectations, feel that you are being pushed around, I can assure you that in a true Viking fashion, other small countries will rush to your aid.

Eventually even Iceland will join the EU. When it joins, Malta will no longer be the smallest country in the EU. I guess no one can claim that Luxembourg has been crushed in the EU.

On the contrary, that country has always played a central role. Small countries are often much better at handling common interests than some of the large countries, which sometimes have their own national agendas.

So, welcome to Europe, our Europe.

Mr Larsen-Jensen is chairman of the European Affairs Committee in the Danish parliament.