Juncker's outlandish claims

I am shocked by Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker's outlandish claims on the Irish acceptance of the Nice treaty. There is a framework laid down in the 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam for a 28 member state European Union. The treaty of Nice is primarily concerned with the way countries are represented in the Union, as well as a European army. Now, if Mr Juncker says that Malta's EU membership is dependent on the Nice referendum, then he is reneging on an international treaty that his country signed.

His comments were part of a pan-European effort to put pressure on Ireland to accept the Nice treaty. It all amounts to one thing: bullying. It is unfortunate that Malta should become wound into this. The European Union always appeared to champion the rights of the smaller nations, such as Ireland.

But this is no longer the case. The treaty of Nice seeks to take away the power of the smaller nations to provide a bigger power base to the larger established nations of the EU. If it were in place there would be times that countries like Ireland and Malta would be governed by Europe, but would have no representation! This, in the age of democracy, is unbelievable. The withdrawal of a country's representation in the EU, while having to suffer the wrath of the other nations, could have untold repercussions across Europe.

It is said that Ireland gets more out of the EU than it gives. In terms of money, that is true, but it is only a façade. Irish fishing grounds have been plundered by other EU nations. Potential indigenous Irish fishing industry workers are being kept out of work by this. Also, the influx of foreigners into the country is unbelieveable. And thanks to so called human rights, they have to be given over and beyond what they are due.

Do not be tricked by Mr Juncker's statement, but learn from it. If this is the sort of mentality that we, as small nations, are dealing with, is the EU an organisation that you would really want to be a part of?

I would dearly love a Union of European nations, where all of Europe, including Malta, would come together at forums to discuss common policy, form an economic union and all act as equals. I would even support a European army to a certain extent to safeguard peace all over the world.

There is potential for Europe to be a great place. I am proud to be European, as well as Irish. I would recommend for all Maltese people not to join the EU at this moment in time, but in the future if things improve, then it should be looked at once more.