NGOs oppose Malta's stance on EU development aid

Malta's insistence that European Union development aid must be accompanied by obligations on the part of third countries on tackling illegal immigration is creating ripples in Brussels with some human rights and development NGOs openly criticising Malta's position.

The European Confederation of NGOs for Relief and Development (CONCORD) said it does not agree with Malta's declarations and appealed to the EU not to give in to its demands.

Speaking in Brussels during a debate on development aid, the President of Concord, Frans Polman, said that various European countries, led by Malta, are insisting that the future declaration on development policy include a condition which would basically oblige all countries which receive European aid to repatriate their citizens found living illegally in any country of the EU.

"It is clear that the European Union must make changes to its common migration policy to prevent situations such as those of Ceuta and Melilla, but giving money to these countries for the purposes of checks on migration, such as border controls, re-admission agreements or detention centres, will do nothing to resolve the problems."

With reference to the discussions on the EU development policy, Mr Polman said that no consensus at all would be better than having a consensus with such conditions, which according to Concord promotes European interests to the detriment of the poor countries.

For the past few months, Malta has been insisting at all EU levels that already existing agreements between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries should be honoured.

The agreements clearly state that ACP countries "shall accept the return 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".

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo told EU ministers during a recent meeting that there must be conditionality tied to EU development aid. He stated that the EU must demand of sovereign states that they take their responsibility to crack down on human trafficking from countries of origin and of transit and to accept to sign, and to implement effectively, repatriation and reintegration agreements.

Sources told The Times that the majority of member states agree with Malta's position. However the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel seems to have a different opinion.

Following a public consultation on the future of the European development policy, Mr Michel stated that "development policy should not be used as leverage for re-admission agreements".

According to an internal report drawn up by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 85 per cent of illegal immigrants landing in Malta originate from African countries which qualify for EU development aid.