European citizenship

I agree with Simon Busuttil's article (April 28). However, I would like to add my own comments about this subject, which is very close to my heart.

Up to a few years ago I was a medical colonel in the British Army. For a full quarter of a century, I enjoyed all privileges which British citizens enjoyed as members of the EU. I travelled extensively from one EU country to another, without any hassle whatsoever and I enjoyed an excellent standard of living.

In April 1998, I made the decision to return to my birthplace. It was terrific to be back among many family members and great to have so many sunny days and have such wonderful seas to swim and dive in. However, a cultural shock awaited me. It consisted of numerous factors, among which were the following:

Parochial politics had not changed in the 27 years of my absence from the island.

Those terrible potholes were still present.

The standard of the English language had plummeted.

There was not such a friendly attitude to foreigners and fellow nationals as there used to be some 30 years before.

Regular electric power cuts greeted us after our arrival.

Divorce was still not available in the Maltese islands.

One of our two cars was impounded for a few days until I could arrange a guarantee that I was able to pay tax on it. This after we had driven through so many national borders without any problems whatsoever. Wonderful welcome home!

i) The cost of living was high compared to the other countries I had been living in during my time in the armed forces. The countries included Germany, the UK, Belgium, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Italy and the US. At the time, I could have filled up a supermarket trolley in Germany, where I served for 15 years, for about half the price it cost me in Malta.

ii) Entering EU countries and showing one's Maltese passport was followed with a never-ending and embarrassing questioning. This was quickly ended when I produced documentation that I was a former British Army officer. Still, the experience was not pleasant.

Did I regret coming back to Malta? Yes. However, I will elaborate on that answer. I should have waited for a few years and returned when my country had joined the EU. We often learn by our mistakes. Mine was a rather expensive and emotional one psychologically. As a former soccer player, I felt that from the Champions League of the EU I had suddenly been relegated to a local mediocre national competition. Now thank God, I know that both I and my fellow countrymen/women will be back in that Champions League, where we so rightly belong.

I have one small consolation. I hope that my writing in the local newspapers, from the moment I arrived back on the island five months before the 1998 snap election, helped sway a few thousand voters towards the pro-EU party. Although I certainly did not share the political sentiments with that party, yet, I realised that joining the EU was vital for Malta.

For me, Malta's joining the EU is a double celebration. I had celebrated a similar occurrence 31 years before, in 1973, when the United Kingdom became an EU member.