Malta seeks EU assistance on migrants

Malta has submitted various claims for assistance from the European Union under programmes related to illegal immigration.

Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Jason Azzopardi (PN) in reply to a parliamentary question yesterday that under the Return programme, Malta was seeking assistance of up to 80 per cent of the costs incurred for the repatriation of 185 migrants who arrived from North Africa.

Together with Italy and the International Organisation for Migration, Malta had submitted proposals for a project for the repatriation of illegal migrants from Egypt, Libya and Nigeria while, together with Belgium, France and Germany, Malta had submitted a project proposal for establishing cooperation with Congo for the efficient identification and repatriation of migrants from that country.

Malta had also joined Germany in a project proposal for the function of joint repatriation flights to West Africa.

Dr Borg said that under the Argo programme Malta had submitted a claim for 80 per cent reimbursement of costs on the building of accommodation quarters within Lyster and Safi barracks while, with Holland, Malta had submitted a project proposal for the training of officers who work in detention centres. This project also includes provisions for the resettlement of migrants in Holland.