Malta urges EU to tackle African states

Malta yesterday continued piling pressure onto the EU to take a tough stance against illegal immigration.

Raising the issue during an informal meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers in Newport, Wales, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said African countries receiving development aid from the EU should play their part in carrying out their obligations according to international trade agreements.

Dr Frendo referred to existing agreements between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries insisting that ACP states "shall accept the return of, and readmission of any of its nationals who are illegally present on the territory of a member state of the European Union, at the member state's request and without further formalities".

Dr Frendo said the time had come for the ACP countries to carry out their agreed obligations.

"There must be conditionality in development aid. We must demand sovereign states to take their responsibility to crack down on human trafficking from countries of origin and of transit and to accept to sign and to effectively implement repatriation and reintegration agreements. I am asking for this to be adopted as a policy by the Union... countries of origin and of transit must shoulder their responsibilities to counter criminal illegal human trafficking. We need to stick together on this issue."

Speaking to The Times following his intervention, Dr Frendo said that while making a clear distinction between humanitarian and development aid, the EU needs to be tougher with African countries that are receiving development aid without any form of obligation to take back thousands of illegal immigrants entering Europe.

He said Malta is insisting with the EU that conditionality in development assistance needs to be applied, arguing that effective repatriation and reintegration agreements should accompany development assistance. He said that an internal report drawn up by his ministry shows that 85 per cent of illegal immigrants in Malta originate from African countries.

During his speech, Dr Frendo welcomed the new immigration and asylum package announced by European Commissioner Franco Frattini on Thursday and said that this shows the Commission is addressing the issue.

Referring directly to the situation in Malta, Dr Frendo said that the island's density of 1,200 persons per square kilometre adds a particular acuteness to the speed with which the problem has now reached crisis proportions.

"This year, up to September 1, arrivals have doubled when compared to the same period last year. At current trends, the figures for this year could reach a number representing 75 per cent of our birth-rate."

Dr Frendo told foreign ministers that Malta needs solidarity from fellow member states in providing assistance in the resettlement of refugees.

He reiterated that in the case of illegal immigrants, Malta demands from the EU and its member states more enforcement and patrolling at the borders of neighbouring countries, particularly maritime borders to prevent trafficking.

Dr Frendo told The Times that Malta will again be formally raising the issue during the general affairs and external relations council in Brussels in November.

The UK presidency has accepted to put the topic on the agenda of the meeting after a joint request by Malta and Italy.