More sea patrols, please

I welcome Tony Abela's confirmation in Parliament (AFM Structures Under Review, November 9) that no illegal immigrants arrived in Malta during the Frontex sea patrols, and the very balanced editorial Libya, Illegal Immigration And Malta (November 10) which emphasises Libya's interest in strengthening these patrols.

I agree with Dr Abela that EU countries should accept more of our illegal immigrants. But we should not fall into the trap of focusing too much on this, since each EU country has its own unwanted guests. Most of Malta's illegal immigrants come from Africa; so the first priority should be to repatriate them to their country of origin or, if that proves impossible, resettle them in other African countries. This is where the EU and UNHCR should help.

As regards Libya's interest in cooperating with the sea patrols when they start again, hopefully soon, our Libyan friends should realise that sub-Saharan immigrants cross illegally through Libya's southern borders only because they can leave the North African coast by sea towards mainland Europe. Once this illegal exit is closed, they will have no interest in entering Libya from the south. It is, therefore, in everybody's interest that sea patrols be strengthened and put on a permanent basis.