Malta's participation at this week's European Parliament session was considered of great significance, irrespective of whether or not one is in favour of the island joining the European Union. I was fortunate enough to form part of the Maltese delegation, as a representative of the Opposition.

For the first time ever, applicant states were given the opportunity of taking part directly in a plenary session.

In fact, for a brief moment, members of national parliaments played the role of Euro MPs, taking part together with their MEP colleagues in the general debate.

Applicant states were granted 10 minutes each to make their arguments on EU enlargement.

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Gunther Verheugen, then had the opportunity of replying.

The assembly was also addressed by the prime minister of Denmark, which at present occupies the presidency of the EU. This was a very positive initiative and everyone justly congratulated the European Parliament President, Pat Cox, who, it appears, personally moved the initiative.

The Maltese delegation was composed of six parliamentarians, three from each side of the House. They divided the time allotted equally between them.

The Labour Party members naturally tried to utilise the time given to them to explain the party's stand on enlargement.

Chris Cardona, the party's spokesman on foreign affairs, was moderate and well-balanced in his speech. His contribution was well received by the assembly.

We explained how the Labour Party looks at EU enlargement, arguing that it considers the process in itself as positive.

Like European member states, Malta shared profound democratic values and also shared with them a strong European identity.

We pointed out that a future Labour government would treat relations with the EU as an absolute priority and would therefore try to strenghten Malta's ties with the Union.

Naturally, we also argued that Labour did not feel it was in the interest of our country at this point in time to accede to European membership.

The main reason for this was that the acquis communitaire could have adverse economic effects on the island and that we could best profit from our special circumstances by opting to remain outside the Union.

We did not shrink from embracing, as our own, parts of the speech given by the Nationalist Party speaker Michael Frendo, who was also prudent and cautious. Dr Frendo dedicated a good part of his speech to emphasising Malta's European identity and the important role the country played in the past and which was playing today for the general good of Europe.

He underlined the ultimate sacrifice made by Malta during the war, a sacrifice that contributed to the victory against facism and totalitarianism.

He also mentioned the time when as the Cold War was coming to an end, the then US President George Bush and the then Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachov made their final peace here in Malta.

It is striking to note how the Maltese delegates were careful not to undermine each other and almost ended up complimenting one other, thereby putting up a common front, so essential at such a delicate and unique moment.

It was also a great experience being able to address the highest European institution in Maltese. In fact, speaking in Maltese helped strenghten our national identity and perhaps contributed in no small measure towards bringing both sides of the delegation closer together.

What hurts is the way certain sections of the media reported the whole affair. It was reported by some that the Euro Parliamentarians rubbished outrightly the Labour Party's stand.

This was definitely not the case. It is true the majority of parliamentarians there are pro-Euro integration but the fact that they disagreed with our views does not mean that they dismissed them.

In fact, both myself and my other two Labour colleagues can confirm that there exists reasonable sympathy for Labour's choice and I do not feel that the European Parliament will in any way hinder a future Labour Party's efforts in striking a good deal with the European Union.

At the end of the day, however, what was most important was that the concerted efforts made by all members of the delegation will undoubtedly help in enhancing the already good image Malta enjoys internationally.