Malta, NATO and neutrality

Abstract

As the tenth anniversary of the foundation of the Malta Atlantic Association draws near, I thought it useful if I collected a few of the contributions I have made locally and abroad on the Atlantic Alliance during the last five years. I have tried to promote the NATO cause and to propagate Nata's message. As Chairman of the Association I have explained Malta's political and ideological beliefs within NATO in peace and freedom. Some of the cities where I have had occasion to do this were Naples, Rome, Milan, West Berlin, Luxemburg, Brussels, The Hague, Paris, London, Lisbon and Washington D.C. During these trips I also had occasion to meet such personalities as President Saragat, Dr. Marcelo Caetano, Mr. Brosio, Mr. Schumann, Mr. Rogers and President Nixon. The present formula by which Malta's relations with NATO are governed (the appendix helps to demonstrate this) has much room for improvement. About this I have on many occasions addressed audiences and congresses and written to newspapers. My sincere hope is that the Maltese people's fidelity to the Atlantic Alliance and their sincere European convictions will continue to constitute the twin pillars in Malta's foreign policy. NATO is there to defend our way of life, our Christian civilization, and all our fundamental freedoms which, in spite of moments of apparent calm, are all the time being threatened by subversion and real threat of war.