MEP's insistence on immigrant burden-sharing mechanism

Illegal immigration will once again feature prominently on the agenda of the European Parliament as MEPs tomorrow resume their duties in Brussels following a month-long summer recess.

The EU has been harshly criticised in recent weeks over illegal immigration as thousands of migrants once again attempted to cross to mainland Europe from North African countries, at times with catastrophic consequences.

Despite calls by southern EU member states, including Malta, to share the responsibility and concretely help over-burdened countries, some EU member states are still reluctant to move from rhetoric to action.

A new attempt will be made this week as the European Parliament debates a report on the EU's Dublin Regulation. Drafted by British Green MEP Jean Lambert, the report includes a series of substantive amendments tabled by Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil and other European People's Party members in the Civil Liberties Committee pressing for burden sharing.

The Dublin Regulation determines which member state is responsible for processing an asylum claim lodged in the European Union. Since this is usually the member state through which an asylum seeker first enters the EU, this arrangement places excessive burdens on border countries like Malta.

The government has also been calling for changes to the system; however, until now Malta's efforts have fallen on deaf ears.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Dr Busuttil expressed disappointment at the absence of a European burden sharing mechanism.

"Unfortunately, we need to overcome a great deal of resistance from individual countries and we must build support. It is a long haul and does not happen automatically. But we are determined to get there," he said.

Through the various amendments proposed, the report will now recognise the problem that southern member states are facing in having to accept asylum applications from illegal immigrants. The amendments also highlight the fact that southern member states have to accept asylum applications from illegal immigrants who are rescued when in distress while on their way into Europe.

Another amendment calls on the Commission, pending the introduction of European burden-sharing mechanisms, to provide for mechanisms within the Dublin Regulation to correct the adverse effects of its implementation for the member states at the Union's external borders.

MEPs will also be calling on the Commission to establish meaningful bilateral working relations with third countries such as Libya, in order to facilitate cooperation and ensure that these nations meet their international legal obligations.