Thursday, 11th September 2008
Illegal immigration
Labour leader calls for stronger political will
Illegal immigration cannot be solved through financial investment alone but the most important element in tackling this issue is a stronger political will particularly at the level of the EU Council of Ministers, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said.
Dr Muscat, who still holds a seat in the European Parliament, touched upon the subject of immigration that has virtually gone unmentioned by the two main political parties over these past months when Malta experienced a record influx of immigrants.
During a meeting with Libor Secka, the Director General of European Affairs within the Czech Republic's Foreign Affairs Ministry, Dr Muscat also raised the issue of increasing energy prices.
It was unacceptable that families were put in a situation where they had to choose between buying basic products or paying their water and electricity bills, he said. While it was understandable that energy could not be offered for free, Dr Muscat stressed that access to it was to be perceived as a right.
Mr Secka said that when the Czech Republic takes over the EU presidency next year energy will be one of the primary areas of focus. Other areas will be competitiveness and foreign relations.
Dr Muscat agreed that attention should be directed at competitiveness but this should not come at the expense of the social net.
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Comments
Malta has 75% more immigrants this year, noone knows who these people are, noone knows what these people want, noone wants to integrate with these people and vice-versa creating one of the biggest social problems Malta might face in the future, babies and mothers are dying on a daily basis in the Mediterranean Sea, our social fabric and cultures are under threat.......................and all JM could say is this?????!!!!!!
Both Parties are doing NOTHING on this issue, period!!! And we need more than this cheap posturing from our leaders to convince ourselves that something is being done!!! But sometimes I wonder if we really think this situation is bad or if clapping for our leaders is paramount!!!
If anyone here thinks that this situation is untenable and you vote PN or MLP or AD in the MEP elections than it's pretty useless to blog and complain isn't it??????
Alexander Morana is right!!!!
Quote from the "Daily Mail" to-day
"Unlimited immigration may lead to violence on Britain's streets", warns former Archbishop of Canterbury
Our Church, the Government and the Opposition Party must recognise future tension in our society as well, they need to act now.
Start seriously sending these people back now, no matter how much it costs, in any case we are already paying for their up keep as it is.
Saying nothing and doing nothing for fear of political fall out is a lack of leadership.
As I have posted before in this e-newspaper, Malta’s first step is to withdraw our commitment to the UN Geneva Refugee Treaty of 1951. Increasing diligent sea patrols with FRONTEX, out side Malta’s waters; by intercepting the Mother ships of the traffickers and by turning back all the boats within Libya’s waters.
Come on Dr. Gonzi it doesn’t take much to show spine. I am sure you will also have the backing of the majority of the Maltese people behind you.
We want action.
And we want it now.
By all politicians, not only by one
It is time to stand up and be counted, hope you guys have taken a step in the right direction by contacting AN to see in which way you can help this party in tackling this issue. Remember that supporting the party on such an important issue does not mean that you support AN's all the way, it simply means that you understand what democracy is all about.
Your comment ran: 'I would change that to: "the most important element in tackling this issue is a stronger political will particularly at the level of the Maltese government." '
You should add: 'opposition and ALL MEP's.'
The opposition has a very important role to play in the governance of our country.
We are paying for its very existence too!
I am afraid that your comment alienates people causing local political division amongst the Maltese population re this issue - the last thing we need at this crucial time.
This issue:
i. is a National issue and so far above LOCAL party politics,
ii. is a POLITICAL and not a RELIGIOUS issue,
iii. involves our children’s secure future which comes FAR ABOVE local party politics,
iv. should be tackled and discussed RATIONALLY rather than EMOTIONALLY and
FANATICALLY,
v. is a NATIONAL issue demanding a common UNITED NATIONAL FRONT.
Let us ALL be GENUINE in our comments.
Many voices are pleading with you, Messrs Gonzi & Muscat, almost daily, to be seen to take notice. Could you not even, at least, take Prof. H. Frendo's objective views with a little seriousness?
This unfortunatley is bad news for Malta, It's geographical location makes it vunerable to climate and energy starved refugee's.
What concrete action that would result in a slow downof illegal immigration would Dr Muscat take if he were in Dr Gonzi's seat?
Stephen Farrugia