In or Out? Small Island States and the Expanding European Union

In or Out? Small Island States and the Expanding European Union

The Cases of Malta and Iceland

Luke Walker & Joy ElliottMaster of Arts in Island Studies CandidatesUniversity of Prince Edward Island

The Cases of Malta and Iceland

Luke Walker & Joy ElliottMaster of Arts in Island Studies CandidatesUniversity of Prince Edward Island

Malta and Iceland:European Island States?Malta and Iceland:European Island States? Both islands are at least partially

integrated into European: Geography History Economy

But also separate: Malta as a part of the Mediterranean Iceland<->US relationship

Both islands are at least partially integrated into European: Geography History Economy

But also separate: Malta as a part of the Mediterranean Iceland<->US relationship

Small Island States and International and Regional Organizations

Small Island States and International and Regional Organizations

The League The United Nations AOSIS CARICOM

The League The United Nations AOSIS CARICOM

The European UnionThe European Union

The European Union model Federation Intergovernmentalism versus Supranationalism

The European Commisssion The Council of Ministers The European Parliament The Single Market The Single Currency Foreign Policy Cooperation: CFSP

The European Union model Federation Intergovernmentalism versus Supranationalism

The European Commisssion The Council of Ministers The European Parliament The Single Market The Single Currency Foreign Policy Cooperation: CFSP

Small Island States and The European Union: The Case of Malta and Iceland

Small Island States and The European Union: The Case of Malta and Iceland

Small Islands and Military History: A Question of Realized Security

Small Islands and Foreign Policy: A Question of Political Security

Small Islands; Small Markets: A Question of Economic Security

Small Islands and Military History: A Question of Realized Security

Small Islands and Foreign Policy: A Question of Political Security

Small Islands; Small Markets: A Question of Economic Security

Small Islands and Realized SecuritySmall Islands and Realized Security Strategic Importance and non-EU

relationships NATO Military Capacity The ideal of Europe The Question of Neutrality

Strategic Importance and non-EU relationships

NATO Military Capacity The ideal of Europe The Question of Neutrality

A Question of NeutralityA Question of Neutrality

“ Malta remains a neutral country with its strict neutrality provisions anchored in the constitution. The first article of the constitution confirms Malta’s adherence to a policy of non-alignment and refusal to participate in any military alliance. A two-thirds majority would be required to change the Constitution. Although the government has stated its intention to support the objectives of the CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) the principle of neutrality and non-alignment set out in the Maltese constitution could lead to difficulties in future CFSP arrangements of the Union.”

- Report Updating the Commission Opinion on

Malta’s Application for Membership (AVIS 2) – February 1999

“ Malta remains a neutral country with its strict neutrality provisions anchored in the constitution. The first article of the constitution confirms Malta’s adherence to a policy of non-alignment and refusal to participate in any military alliance. A two-thirds majority would be required to change the Constitution. Although the government has stated its intention to support the objectives of the CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) the principle of neutrality and non-alignment set out in the Maltese constitution could lead to difficulties in future CFSP arrangements of the Union.”

- Report Updating the Commission Opinion on

Malta’s Application for Membership (AVIS 2) – February 1999

Neutrality25. Declaration on neutrality to be attached

to Treaty, confirms that Malta ﾕ s neutrality is not affected by membership. EU has another four countries that are neutral.

26. The EU has no power to oblige Malta to serve as military base.

27. Participation in EU peace-keeping and humanitarian operations is up to Malta. It is voluntary even at the level of individual soldiers.

28. EU decisions on foreign policy, security and defence are not imposed - they are taken by unanimity

29. The EU has no rules on military conscription (lieva).

- The EU Membership Package, EU-Malta Information Centre

Small Islands and Political SecuritySmall Islands and Political Security Membership and Recognition Small Island Foreign Policy Federations, Centralized Governments,

and the reality of the Vote. The Maltese Difference Iceland, Identity, and Independence North America

Membership and Recognition Small Island Foreign Policy Federations, Centralized Governments,

and the reality of the Vote. The Maltese Difference Iceland, Identity, and Independence North America

Membership and RecognitionMembership and Recognition

Small states, far more than larger ones, can actually experience an increase in their actual sovereignty by belonging to a regional organization. Whereas as an individual state they may have little bargaining power, as a group, they have the potential to exercise a greater degree of pressure on the outside world, thus regaining some control of their circumstances often lost by their small size.

Small states, far more than larger ones, can actually experience an increase in their actual sovereignty by belonging to a regional organization. Whereas as an individual state they may have little bargaining power, as a group, they have the potential to exercise a greater degree of pressure on the outside world, thus regaining some control of their circumstances often lost by their small size.

Small Island Foreign PolicySmall Island Foreign Policy

Small states’ interests are often better served by the international rule of law than by an anarchical international system based on the struggle for power. Hence they tend to exhibit a preference for international organizations and rule-based regimes… However, their policies may not always lead to intended outcomes.

-Roderick Pace. “A Small State and the European Union: Malta’s EU Accession Experience,” in South European Society & Politics, 7.1 (Summer 2002), 24-25.

Small states’ interests are often better served by the international rule of law than by an anarchical international system based on the struggle for power. Hence they tend to exhibit a preference for international organizations and rule-based regimes… However, their policies may not always lead to intended outcomes.

-Roderick Pace. “A Small State and the European Union: Malta’s EU Accession Experience,” in South European Society & Politics, 7.1 (Summer 2002), 24-25.

Federations, Centralized Governments, and the Reality of the Vote.

Federations, Centralized Governments, and the Reality of the Vote.

The European Union represents, by far, the most comprehensive form of regional cooperation and integration.

Small island states, usually coming into independence politically weak and often economically uncertain, are suspicious of ‘sharing’ their sovereignty for fear that such acts erode said sovereignty.

Complete political autonomy or ‘sovereignty’ over domestic affairs, and much less over the international affairs, of a state is difficult, particularly for extremely small states.

The European Union represents, by far, the most comprehensive form of regional cooperation and integration.

Small island states, usually coming into independence politically weak and often economically uncertain, are suspicious of ‘sharing’ their sovereignty for fear that such acts erode said sovereignty.

Complete political autonomy or ‘sovereignty’ over domestic affairs, and much less over the international affairs, of a state is difficult, particularly for extremely small states.

The Reality of the VoteThe Reality of the Vote

Real or perceived loss of autonomy and the benefits derived from the relationship must be balanced.

Potential for more balance in the relationship between the small island state and the regional body, or the small island state and the larger states that the regional body represents

Real or perceived loss of autonomy and the benefits derived from the relationship must be balanced.

Potential for more balance in the relationship between the small island state and the regional body, or the small island state and the larger states that the regional body represents

The Reality of the VoteThe Reality of the Vote

EU voting power is proportional to the size of each state

-Graphic from Alfred Mifsud. Malta’s Relations with the EU: A Realistic Way Forward. (Malta: Publishers Enterprises Group, 1999), 77.

EU voting power is proportional to the size of each state

-Graphic from Alfred Mifsud. Malta’s Relations with the EU: A Realistic Way Forward. (Malta: Publishers Enterprises Group, 1999), 77.

The Maltese DifferenceThe Maltese Difference

Post-Communist states: “implicit guarantee that economic reforms undertaken since the end of communism will not be reversed.

Cyprus and the obvious Malta is an established

and stable democracy

-Graphic from “European Integration.” TakingITGlobal, http://www.takingitglobal.org/themes/eu

Post-Communist states: “implicit guarantee that economic reforms undertaken since the end of communism will not be reversed.

Cyprus and the obvious Malta is an established

and stable democracy

-Graphic from “European Integration.” TakingITGlobal, http://www.takingitglobal.org/themes/eu

Iceland, Identity, Independence and the issue of North AmericaIceland, Identity, Independence and the issue of North America Cautious Icelandic

politicians fear that the EU will be an invasive power, reviving concerns of foreign domination

Nordic welfare state NATO, CFSP, and the

“one-man army”

Cautious Icelandic politicians fear that the EU will be an invasive power, reviving concerns of foreign domination

Nordic welfare state NATO, CFSP, and the

“one-man army”

Iceland: A European State?

Questions of North America

Flirtation with NAFTA: A terminal love affair?

Iceland: A European State?

Questions of North America

Flirtation with NAFTA: A terminal love affair?

Small Islands and Economic SecuritySmall Islands and Economic Security

“Do we need the EU to protect us from ourselves?” - Alfred Mifsud

- Does membership necessarily foster stability? Does anything else foster vulnerability?

- Open markets: relationship vs. membership

- Choosing partners: the EU or the rest of the world

“Do we need the EU to protect us from ourselves?” - Alfred Mifsud

- Does membership necessarily foster stability? Does anything else foster vulnerability?

- Open markets: relationship vs. membership

- Choosing partners: the EU or the rest of the world

A Question of CapacityA Question of Capacity

Capacity and participation: Small Island States and real participation

Capacity and participation: Questions of responsibilities.

Size vs. Vote and Voice: The Equality argument.

The Inclusiveness resolve

Capacity and participation: Small Island States and real participation

Capacity and participation: Questions of responsibilities.

Size vs. Vote and Voice: The Equality argument.

The Inclusiveness resolve

For MembershipFor Membership

Global Power and Influence: The EU as an emerging superpower

Improved Social Standards and the pooling of economic and social resources

Free flowing movement of people and goods: The Economic Advantage

Global Power and Influence: The EU as an emerging superpower

Improved Social Standards and the pooling of economic and social resources

Free flowing movement of people and goods: The Economic Advantage

Relationship advantagesRelationship advantages

Sovereignty, national independence, and national identity.

A Bi-lateral agreement versus the Realities of a qualified vote.

CFP and Market Protection: Pieces of the acquis communiataire.

Sovereignty, national independence, and national identity.

A Bi-lateral agreement versus the Realities of a qualified vote.

CFP and Market Protection: Pieces of the acquis communiataire.

Questions of ConclusionsQuestions of Conclusions

Are bi-lateral agreements a solution? Can they be stable enough for a long term arrangement?

Is the EU a solution? Is it stable enough for a small island state? Questions of a small state policy.

Are bi-lateral agreements a solution? Can they be stable enough for a long term arrangement?

Is the EU a solution? Is it stable enough for a small island state? Questions of a small state policy.