MP demands EU action over migrants' problem

Malta simply could not cope with the influx of illegal migrants and it was about time it put its foot down and demanded effective assistance from the EU, Labour MP Josè Herrera said in Parliament on Tuesday evening.

Dr Herrera said that during his house calls, almost every family he visited ranked illegal migration as one of the most serious problems the country faced. That people voiced concern about this issue did not make them racist. Malta, the smallest and most densely populated country in the EU was being inundated with an influx of migrants which could not be sustained.

The migrants were not criminals and they deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, Dr Herrera said, but he agreed with the detention policy because there was no alternative in Malta's circumstances.

The Prime Minister needed to acknowledge that Malta was facing a crisis which could have dire consequences unless action was taken.

Malta urgently needed a repatriation treaty with Libya, from whose shores some 95 per cent of the migrants departed. Such an arrangement already existed between Libya and Italy, but unfortunately Malta lacked Italy's clout and attempts for such a treaty had failed.

Malta, therefore, also needed to put its feet down and insist with the EU to pressure Libya to reach such a treaty.

In terms of the principle of subsidiarity, European member states also needed to give more financial support to Malta and take responsibility for some of the migrants. After all, most of the migrants who came to Malta actually wanted to go to mainland Europe.

"Malta is part of the EU. It is by far its smallest member, yet no one wants to shoulder part of the burden. So are we partners or what? Europe needs to acknowledge that migration is a problem for all of Europe and not just for Malta. Unless that happens, Malta would be taken for a ride. What do they want us to do, issue Maltese passports to the migrants so that they can continue on their way to Europe?

Dr Herrera said that while Malta had a moral duty to rescue any people in distress within its waters, the maritime zone for which it was responsible was clearly far too large and needed to be re-drawn.

Unless effective assistance was forthcoming, Malta would need to take unilateral action in order to avoid "cataclysmic and draconian" consequences.

Both sides of the House were doing their bit to urge other countries to help Malta but with diplomacy not having worked, Malta clearly needed to be more forceful, Dr Herrera said.