Maltese, Spanish justice ministers discuss immigration

Immigration and the justice system were among the items on the agenda when Malta and Spain's justice ministers had their first ever tête-à- tête yesterday.

Tonio Borg and Fernando Lopez Aguilar had a one-hour official meeting at Auberge d'Aragon and declared closer cooperation between the two Mediterranean countries. Speaking to The Times later, Dr Borg said he would be proposing that the ministers of justice be included in the Western Mediterranean Forum (the 5+5), an informal meeting held yearly between the five EU Western Mediterranean countries and the five countries of the Maghreb.

At present, the meeting is open only to the foreign affairs and interior ministers. The two ministers spoke of the need for EU aid to countries facing illegal migration, through the Union's emergency fund. Like Malta, Spain faces an influx of immigrants, mostly from Morocco.

Last November, Malta and Spain agreed to hold political consultations on an annual basis in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations. During a meeting in Madrid, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo and his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos had agreed that these meetings should be held alternately in the capital of each country.

Mr Lopez Aguilar yesterday had separate meetings with Dr Frendo and Chief Justice Vincent DeGaetano and called on President Eddie Fenech Adami at the Palace in Valletta. Accompanied by Dr Borg, the Spanish Minister also visited St John's Co-Cathedral.