The additional costs resulting from the extension of the communication infrastructure to the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia shall not be borne by Ireland or the United Kingdom’.

However, whilst Malta’s application gives a fair description of the present situation, it does not take into consideration possible technological developments in the medium- and long-term, which are liable to lead to substantial changes.

However, whilst Malta’s application gives a fair description of the present situation, it does not take into consideration possible technological developments in the medium- and long-term, which are liable to lead to substantial changes.

The geographical position of Malta and its lack of financial and administrative resources to cope with waves of immigrants, especially after its accession to the European Union, which has resulted in an increase in the flow of immigrants and refugees, are no reason to justify the situation.

At the same time, organisations such as the Holy See, the Knights of Malta, the Red Cross, the Red Crescent, and even the Inter-Parliamentary Union have observer status in the World Health Organisation.

It is a 'yes' that will see the EU enriched by the enormous cultural and intellectual traditions of the new countries and by their unique political and historical heritage: the battling Baltics – David to the Soviet Union's Goliath; the Prague spring; the Hungarian uprising; Solidarity; brave Malta – the George Cross island, freedom's bastion in the darkest days of the Second World War; and people like my good friend, Vytenis Andriukaitis, from Lithuania, whose family led the resistance to the Soviets and suffered in exile and for whom now this represents the end of that nightmare.