Matthew Xuereb, Rome
Berlusconi pledges to push Malta's case
The meeting between Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi was, as predicted, dominated by talks on illegal migration but they also pledged to solve the existing impasse on oil exploration.
The meeting, split between a short private meeting and a working lunch, took place at Mr Berlusconi's office in Palazzo Chigi in Rome. Dr Gonzi was accompanied by Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and the Ambassador to Italy Walter Balzan.
Dr Gonzi expressed his satisfaction that Italy fully understood the problems Malta was facing with regard to irregular migration. He said Mr Berlusconi gave him his word that, on a European Union level, he will make Malta's case, especially with regard to the fair sharing of responsibility of the problem.
Mr Berlusconi said Malta also stood to benefit from the agreement Italy reached with Libya on this phenomenon through which Italy will be providing Libya with six patrol boats to be in a position to better monitor its coast.
Describing the relations between the two countries as a "splendid friendship", Mr Berlusconi said the talks on illegal migration focused on the new dimension of the problem.
Using the same ratio of illegal migrants to the island's population as Malta, it meant that Italy would be receiving some 1.4 million illegal migrants.
He said the EU needed the common policy on illegal migration, which is being spearheaded by the French presidency of the EU. Moreover, this issue could be tackled on a country-by-country basis with separate agreements between member states.
They also discussed Frontex and agreed that its resources had to be beefed up.
Mr Berlusconi expressed satisfaction on hearing that some of the financial aid Malta received through the Italian Protocol was used to restore the Italian chapel at St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta.
During their two-hour meeting, the two sides discussed the linking of Malta to the Sicilian energy grid, which has been in the pipeline for quite some time. The same issue had been discussed with Mr Berlusconi's predecessor, Romano Prodi, who had said that Italy was not only ready but was eager to connect Malta to this energy grid.
They discussed the price of oil in the international market and ways of cutting down the use of fuel and decreasing energy consumption. Dr Gonzi pointed out that Malta had to use 20 per cent of its electricity consumption to convert sea water into potable water.
Speaking to the Maltese press shortly before being escorted back to the airport, Dr Gonzi expressed his satisfaction that Italy was backing Malta in its efforts to get other EU member states to share in the burden of illegal migration.
He was grateful that Mr Berlusconi declared that Malta is the ideal candidate to host the seat of the recently-set-up Union of the Mediterranean, in view of its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea. While stating that Malta will be offering its candidacy for this headquarters, Dr Gonzi said there were other countries that were interested too. With regard to the Mediterranean, Mr Berlusconi said Italy, like Malta, was committed to do everything possible to make this sea the cleanest in the world.
On a completely different note, the two Premiers inevitably discussed Italian football. Mr Berlusconi is the president of Milan and Dr Gonzi is an avid supporter of arch rivals Inter, as is Dr Borg. Dr Gonzi said Mr Berlusconi recalled the warm welcome given by Maltese Milan supporters when the club held a training session on the island last year.
Dr Gonzi said he invited Mr Berlusconi for an official visit to Malta but no date has been set yet.
Mr Berlusconi and Dr Gonzi last met in Paris a fortnight ago when the Union of the Mediterranean was formally launched. At the official dinner, Mr Berlusconi disregarded protocol and asked the French band to play O Sole Mio just as he saw Dr Gonzi step on the red carpet on his arrival for the dinner.
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J. Formosa
Jul 26th 2008, 07:46
Connecting Malta to the Italian Power Grid.... better stay self sufficient and start building those wind farms and give maltese incentives to install solar power.
Patrol boats to Libya... better help who really needs.. Mr. Berlusconi...
Illegal Immegrants.... give them european passports and a ticket on Virtu Ferries.... cheap trick that works.....
George Mifsud
Jul 26th 2008, 02:18
You must learn the tactics of Australian former prime minister to detect the illegal immigrants outside the territorial waters and divert outside the Maltese borders. In a way this is inhumane but this has worked to Australia which is called the Tampa Affair since the illegal immigrants were then rescued by a merchant vessel called Tampa and sent over to another island outside Australia.
However Dr Gonzi is trying to get help from the EU ? - Bear in mind there a couple of millions refegues in Libya trying to get to Europe -
John Azzopardi
Jul 26th 2008, 00:16
What a joke. Berlusconi didn't know that Malta is getting more illegal than other countries for it's size. This is a slap in the face for Mr Gonzi. When are Maltese and Gozitans wake up and stop being taken for a ride by the EU governement. We wanted to join the EU not be become the dumping ground for illegal immigrants from the south but to be partners. Prime Minister, wake up and smell the copy. This is not a joke. 10,000 illegal immigrants in 6 years is equal to 2.5% of the population. What will happen to Malta in 10 years or 20 years at the rate we are going. And let's stop begging about burden sharing. No body wants our problem. They have their own. It's really sad to see us begging and we didn't even ask for this problem. Tiny Malta is no match to Berlusconi 62 million people. Yes, the illegals are coming to Malta and it is not a coincident. They know they are no longer welcome in Italy, so they have no choice but to land in Malta. Will someone please wake up.
d stellini
Jul 25th 2008, 22:36
since Frontex has not produced the desired results and EU is dragging its feet on illegal immigration , Malta MUST use its trump card - let Brussels know that it will vote against any further enlargement of the EU, be it Turkey or whoever . If the EU is unable to take steps of burden sharing with a few thousand illegal immigrants then surely it is not in a position to admit millions of new citizens by allowing more countries to join !
Then perhaps the nordic countries will take concrete steps in showing solidarity rather than criticise the detention centres in Malta.
Ivan Attard
Jul 25th 2008, 20:53
Stop being the fool of all the EU prime ministers and see the writing on the wall. Nobody is interested in helping us and Italy has an interest that our situation does not improve for obvious reasons. All the rest just don't give a damn and just laugh at your perseverence in begging for help. No Gonzi, your wide grin and stupid smiles will not help us. There is only one solution. Take our destiny in our own hands and stop all ILLEGALS at 14 miles and make them turn back or show them the way north. Make Malta a closed shop once and for all.
...and today Berlusconi has just declared a state of emergency regarding illegal immigration with Marroni taking over with steel fists the immigration phenomenon! Can you ever see the the connection with any 'help' Berlusconi promises you?
a.cassar
Jul 25th 2008, 20:31
Perhaps berlusconi can help by first telling the italian patrol boats to take any migrants they come across to italy not call their maltese counterparts to go and pick them up .
Joseph Mizzi
Jul 25th 2008, 20:14
Are illegal immigration, hosting the Union of the Mediterranean, and the rivalry between Inter and Milan the only problems that Berlusconi can help us solve? Was the issue of the future of the employees of the Maltese STMicroelectronics plant discussed with Berlusconi, whose government is a major shareholder of the holding company, together with that of Sarkozy, with whom Gonzi had talks earlier this month?
Joe Gatt
Jul 25th 2008, 19:58
Empty words! Once the illegals leave Libya, they either come here or go to Italy. The more we get, the fewer Italy is saddled with, so any Italian promises to help are just hot air.
Dr Gonzi has to realise that Malta must take drastic action, because nobody else is going to help.
Ivan Attard
Jul 25th 2008, 16:59
...Hold your breath Gonz! Berlusconi's promises are soon to become reality. At least he got the band to play you 'O Sole Mio'!
M. Schembri
Jul 25th 2008, 16:43
I agree with Valerie Scicluna - the more immigrants landing (or brought ) here the less impact on Italy. I don't think the Italian PM is going to lose any sleep over our immigration problems !
Joahnne Micallef
Jul 25th 2008, 12:48
Empty words of solidarity just as predicted, our Goverment should follow suit and adopt harsh measures to start to control the massive influx of illegal immigrants.
Our Goverment should have asked for more than just words, after all Italy has a pipeline passing through our sea bed from Libya, wonder of wonders we are not charging Italy the millions of euros we should, I would have thought that such a generous gesture would be repaid by more than just empty words.
B Agius
Jul 25th 2008, 11:46
So this proves that the Maltese Government has no voice in Europe? If it did, does it need Berlusconi to take up Malta's case with Europe? If it weren't for history and National identity issues, one might suggest that our Prime Minister has been reduced to acting like some Regional Mayor and thus perhaps we should become an Italian region. No, I know that's not a good idea and it is perhaps preposterous to suggest it but where is Malta's voice in the EU?
DVella
Jul 25th 2008, 09:54
Huh! About time someone in Europe wakes up to reality . . . has Berlusconi only now realised the ratio between the volume of immigrants Malta receives and the total population . . . or the actual area of our country for that matter??! What does it take to get the 'commissars' in Brussels to wake up and pull their finger out?
valerie scicluna
Jul 25th 2008, 09:44
the least person and the least country to help us in this issue is berlusconi and italy. as things stand we are serving as a buffer zone between libya and mainland italy and that suits italy just fine.
Alex Spiteri
Jul 25th 2008, 09:23
Dottor Gonzi,
how can u expect that the Italians help you out in our burden sharing idea, when Berlusconi has regained power with the help of anti-immigration northern party lega nord during the last election?!
once in rome, you should have taken some lessons from roberto maroni, on how to deal with illegal immigration. with a few laws passed in the first weeks of his legislature, italian streets are already much safer. he can also give a few teachings how not to be bullied by the EU, when adopting healthy policies to your own people.
the only solution to illegal immigration is not to turn malta into a bus stop towards europe for millions of africans dr gozni, but to stop them from make it ashore, stop them at 14 miles out!
italians too are christians, but not like, they don't use the argument of christianity to make up for their political mistakes and into accepting illegal immigrants. perhaps, you should have taken another important lesson from them, that your own people's well being comes before any morality and religion you keep so dear!