Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Justice Commissioner prefers solidarity to burden sharing
The new European Justice Commissioner, Jacques Barrot seems to prefer strengthening solidarity mechanisms than have a new burden sharing system in order to solve Malta's illegal immigration problems.
The burden sharing system was formally proposed by Malta and Spain last year.
Pressed by Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil at the European Parliament to give details on the state of play with regard to Malta's burden sharing proposal, Mr Barrot avoided the direct question and instead gave details of the general EU plans in the area, including two new studies to be commissioned next year.
The commissioner also indicated that he is not very favourable to Malta's specific burden sharing proposal.
He told Dr Busuttil that, following the recent publication of an EU policy plan on asylum, "the Commission notes that the best way to ensure a high degree of solidarity is not to adopt a new overreaching instrument but to put at the disposal of member states a series of mechanisms that will help them cope with the variety of challenges they are faced with".
Totally avoiding the question of illegal immigration and focusing on asylum, Mr Barrot said that, during the course of next year, the Commission will be launching a study assessing the possibility of the joint processing of specific caseloads (asylum seekers), which would also examine how joint processing might alleviate the pressure on specific "over burdened" member states. He said the Commission also plans to create a community mechanism that would allow, in well-defined and exceptional circumstances, the possibility of temporarily suspending the application of the Dublin rules for transfers of asylum seekers to a member state whose reception system cannot adequately deal with the transferred persons.
According to the current rules, asylum seekers - all illegal immigrants landing in Malta normally become asylum seekers - have to be detained and processed in Malta and cannot be sent to other EU member states.
Government sources acknowledged that the Commission proposals mentioned by Mr Barrot are beneficial to Malta but underlined that the Island's burden-sharing proposal is different and is still on the table.
A year ago, during a meeting of EU Justice Ministers, Malta proposed that all EU member states agree on a new mechanism of burden sharing of patrols in international waters and those of non-EU countries. According to this proposal each member state should take responsibility for a number of people saved according to a rotation system and in proportion to their populations.
Although diplomatically the Commission said that it agreed with this proposal, so far little has been done to put it in practice. Many member states remained lukewarm over this proposal.
Contacted by The Times on the prevailing illegal immigration situation and recent evidence suggesting that the Frontex patrols seem to be ineffective, Dr Busuttil, who is the European Parliament's rapporteur on the EU's common immigration policy, said that while it is true that the Frontex patrols can be more effective, the solution is not to stop them.
"The problem is not so much Frontex. The real problem is the lack of cooperation from Libya, which is particularly regrettable for us Maltese given our long-standing friendship. Unless Libya co-operates by stopping immigrants from leaving, by taking them back and by participating in Frontex patrols, Frontex will not be as effective as we would like it to be."
At the same time, Dr Busuttil disagreed that the Nautilus III mission is a waste of time.
"Viewing these missions as a waste of time is short-sighted. These missions do have some impact primarily to save human lives and to supplement Malta's patrolling assets in the area, which would otherwise be left completely on their own."
However, Dr Busuttil acknowledged that Malta is far from solving this problem.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
Updated: Shot migrant in critical...
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Yana Mintoff: Family speaking to...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
13 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
agrech
Jul 13th 2008, 09:54
Mr Barrot, we don't need or want "solidarity", we want action by the EU and want the EU to take some of the immigrants because we have no room for them.
Frontex was nothing else but an empty promise.
Simon Busuttil is doing his best to rectify the situation and the Maltese are very appreciative of his efforts.
Sandro Pace
Jul 12th 2008, 20:36
It's Malta's right to take unilateral action and not be blackmailed. So far diplomatic efforts are failing, and as Mr. Barrot indicated, will be failing. Appeasement is leading to nowhere. The other option, waiting for a solution, will put us in a greater mess, socially and all.
Other countries, including Western ones, took actions as they deemed fit for their national interest. In many areas.
Yet if Europe decides to take it and bully a small country for defending itself and society, so be it. What they can do? They condemn and condemn and condemn. But we have friends too.
As Mr. Churchill said, “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping it will eat him last”
The EU commission is always putting a solution at bait, and keeping hope for the government, knowing full well that there will be no solutions.
National Security and all is our area and no one has the right to interfere in the name of humanitarian causes. T
Alexander Morana
Jul 12th 2008, 18:01
Gonzi and all those pundits who advocated this hair brain idea, you have heard it from the horse's mouth. Burden sharing was and still is a pie in the sky. Wake up before the Islands of Malta and Gozo sink from under your feet.
By the way, you and your government and all Maltese people own an apology to Mr. Norman Lowell.
john fenech
Jul 12th 2008, 16:45
With all due respect Dr. Busutill , if Libya do co-operate by stopping the illegal immigrants from leaving its shores then Frontex role is nullified both as an escort and as a lifesaver. Hence it will not be required. On the other hand Frontex in its present role is ineffective to reduce the influx of illegal immigrants!
What we desperately need is an agreement for the proportional sharing of illegal immigrants, funds for their upkeep and to hasten the means of re-allocation.
Tonio Azzopardi
Jul 12th 2008, 14:46
“Not bad..Mr. Barrot!” Solidarity thanks for the offer! We have been offered this by various EU countries. However, nobody wants to shoulder the burden proportionately…and by the way it seems that the EU is also reluctant to get Libya to terms and demand that it cooperates.
I have an idea “Flight of Solidarity and Hope”:-
i) Grant all illegal immigrants ‘total freedom of movement’ as long that they accept a free airline ticket for a one way flight to Brussels.
ii) The government can recoup all expenses by offering advertising space on the aeroplane that it charters. I am sure that once it lands in Brussels it will get a great deal of media exposure and coverage. Probably this initiative will end up with a decent profit.
iii) Mr. Barrot will then show us his ‘solidarity’ by erecting an open centre in Brussels
Louis Gialanze
Jul 12th 2008, 14:35
I beg to differ with Dr Busuttil. The solution is quite simple : Detention, Detention & more Detention - Whatever it will take! Then and only then will the word spread around in north Africa to avoid Malta's territorial waters.
M. Mercieca
Jul 12th 2008, 14:24
For decades Europe has been exporting both economic and political instability to Africa. Many wars in Africa (originally supported by Europe) have created instability and poverty. Now Europe is getting the fruits of own colonial lust.
During the barbarian wars inside Europe, Millions of Europeans were killed. This has created first population deficit. Africans man-power were needed to re-build Europe; in the meantime Europe didn’t give up its colonial lust.
After the wars, many Europeans lived in luxury, thanks to milking Africa’s resources. To live in further luxury, Europeans used to have families of one or two kids, now we have a population deficit and again, we need immigrants from Africa.
This all organized business approved by the EU. Irregular Immigrants understand this fact. Most European citizens do not. Or prefer not to understand and start moaning.
No matter what you say. These only reflect our racist roots, which again enables EU to slam us on the face.
No power on earth will stop a hungry human to get food and security.
If you don’t like this new fact, go in front of a mirror and shoot yourself.
v.pulis
Jul 12th 2008, 14:23
"The real problem is the lack of cooperation from Libya, which is particularly regrettable for us Maltese given our long-standing friendship." Was it real friendship? notice that after the shut down of the British base in Malta in 1979 gaddafi started treating us like dirt. we had removed the thorn in his rear end. If we are waiting for the spineless EU to stand up to gaddafi,it's going to be a long wait. Clearly the fatcats in brussels have decided that it is better to sacrifice tiny Malta rather than make an enemy of Muammar. During the great siege the maltese kept hoping for help from Europe. in the end they had to go it alone and the help arrived when the battle was almost won. the story is repeating itself with the difference that this time the outcome may not be so bright.
L Galea
Jul 12th 2008, 13:08
Not only is AFFRONTEX a waste of time and an AFFRONT to the Maltese people, but now we have the INJUSTICE Commissioner telling us straight and plain that he does not want the other EU countries to take refugees from us but maybe they can help us financially.
We do not want financial help to accomodate the ILLEGAL immigrants and their INVASION Mr INJUSTICE Commissioner.
We want every single ILLEGAL immigrant REMOVED from OUR country.
Talk about EU solidarity!!!
I think they mean Sorrydarity
James Dimech
Jul 12th 2008, 13:04
The situation is dire and the Maltese justifiably have this immigration business up to their noses - but taking unilateral action will be worse. EU or no EU, we were always bound to Europe through countless means - our economy, food, education, movement and so on. Taking unilateral action within the field of immigration will jeopardize our relations in other areas.
We have to calm down and think realistically. Amongst all this bla bla bla by EU officials, at least we have managed to get Malta's immigration plight on Europe's agenda. The most realistic solution for this mess is having our representatives exert consistent pressure for Europe to take up a considerable number of immigrants and to exercise its clout to make Libya cooperate.
Once again, taking unilateral action might cut down immigration but will definitely lead us to into a diplomatic mess. We have to choose the best option amongst the worst
Joanne Micallef
Jul 12th 2008, 12:24
bla bla bla...bla bla...bla..bla bla bla bla
We've had enough, no words will give us the peace of mind that we crave re this issue. It's time for action Dr Busuttil, get your priorities right and think of your obligations towards your country MALTA and the Maltese.
Adrian Cardona
Jul 12th 2008, 11:48
Bla bla and bloody bla from Barrot, while we are inundated with immigrants.
Gonzi, DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!
Give them a passport and let them go where they want in the EU, then we'll see how the EU wakes up from it's torpor when they see them flooding in.
Really, enough is enough now.
Sandro Pace
Jul 12th 2008, 09:54
Mr. Barrot is clearly telling us to keep them here. Nobody wants them, and why Malta should?
Processing will take ages, and in the meantime Malta is continously filled.
Yes Mr. Busuttil, frontex is a waste of time and Malta should retire from it, cause it brought more people than it could have done without it. Set your priorities right.