But for today's generation, for us all, the future beckons. Fear of the unknown often dictates withdrawal from innovation. I think that it is futile to join that chorus. The people of Malta have generally responded with positive enthusiasm to change. Though strongly conscious of our identity, and in spite of being islanders, we dislike isolation and have never feared measuring ourselves with others.
Nothing justifies our starting now.
Our identity as a people is not something static. It evolves in time. I have faith in the people of Malta. I truly believe in their ability to respond to the challenges of time without losing their strong sense of identity as a people and as a nation. Identity does not rest solely on a common language, memory or tradition.