Imagine standing at the ancient bastions of Valletta, gazing out at the Mediterranean Sea. You’re reminded of Malta’s strategic importance, our islands a fortress against the unknown. But are we doing enough to protect our neutrality? This is the question Momentum, Malta’s centrist political party, is asking.

Malta’s neutrality is a double-edged sword. It’s our shield, protecting us from entanglements in global conflicts. But it’s also a sword that cuts both ways, potentially leaving us vulnerable if we’re not prepared. Momentum argues that our defence spending is not keeping pace with the threats we face.

Consider this: According to NATO, Malta spends just over 0.8% of its GDP on defence. That’s less than half of the 2% target set by the alliance. While we’re not alone in falling short, Momentum believes we’re not doing enough to ensure our neutrality is a strength, not a weakness.

Let’s bring this home. Increased defence spending could mean more jobs for Maltese and Gozitans. The defence industry is a significant employer worldwide, and there’s no reason Malta couldn’t benefit. It could also mean better training facilities for our armed forces, potentially attracting international exercises to our shores.

Take the former RAF Luqa site, now a bustling industrial estate. Could part of it be repurposed for defence training? Momentum suggests it’s worth exploring. After all, our neutrality is our greatest asset. We should invest in it.

Momentum isn’t advocating for a military buildup. They’re calling for a balanced approach. Spend more on defence, yes, but also invest in diplomacy and international cooperation. Strengthen our ties with Europe and the Mediterranean, but also with Africa and the Middle East.

As Malta’s Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo recently said, “Neutrality is not isolation.” It’s about being engaged, prepared, and respected. And that takes investment, in all its forms.

So, the next time you’re standing at those ancient bastions, ask yourself: Are we doing enough to protect our neutrality? Momentum thinks not. And they’re calling on us all to start a conversation about how we can do better.