Matthew Xuereb
Talks on migrant proposal
Nationalist Party supporters gathered at the Floriana granaries yesterday as part of the Independence Day celebrations. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The government's burden-sharing proposal to deal with the illegal immigration problem will be discussed by EU ministers in the coming days, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
Addressing a Nationalist Party mass meeting on the Floriana granaries to mark Independence Day, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the proposal - suggesting the relocation of refugees to other EU states - was made by the government during discussions on a new European policy on illegal immigration.
"The government has proposed a mechanism similar to the one Malta has with the US through which a number of refugees are relocated to the US to start a new life there. The principle is the same, with the aim that refugees are relocated to other EU member states, putting into practice the principle of shared responsibility," he said.
During his speech, Dr Gonzi listed the biggest challenges that the country will have to face in the near future.
He appealed to the Maltese face the current situation in the world - in light of the volatile oil prices and the financial turmoil in the US - with courage.
If Malta wanted cleaner energy, he said, it had to be prepared to invest more in alternative energy.
Dr Gonzi said that in order to meet the challenges, the Maltese had to continue respecting their Christian values, which included assisting illegal immigrants who needed help.
The Prime Minister said the tourism industry was performing well and indications were that tourism figures will be better than last year's, which had already broken records.
He also pledged that the government would continue to try and control the rising cost of living.
Addressing a mass meeting for the first time since he was elected PN general secretary, Paul Borg Olivier paid tribute to PN's former leaders and said that Malta's independence was the first step towards EU membership.
He spoke about the government's 2015 vision saying that it will be taking shape by 2014, a year when Malta will be marking its 50th anniversary since independence and its 10th year as an EU member.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Petrol price up 6c
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
16 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
debbie bugeja
Sep 23rd 2008, 16:25
I agree with Dennis Catania.
This week I passed with my car through Marsa where they have the open centre. It was unbeleivable.! Illegal immigrants roaming in the streets and sitting on the boundaries walls.
It was like an african city in Malta. You hardly saw a white man in the streets.
They already took over the place. What is becoming of Malta? I as a maltese citizen fear of our future. I am not being a racist but it is the truth.
I agree with Michelle Dalli, we have to keep our christian values aside or we all get drowned. we have to put an end to it and only Dr Gonzi is in a state to do so,otherwise he is going to be the ruin for the maltese nation.
STEPHEN FARRUGIA
Sep 22nd 2008, 07:29
Look at that photo of the Nationalists on the Fosos. None of them agree with the stand that the party has taken on immigration.
With what right do a very few people tell us what to do or think?
Same for MLP.
V Fenech
Sep 22nd 2008, 00:28
Michelle Dali is 100% right! At least somebody has spoken outright. Maltese politicians are making a big mistake when relying on burden sharing as a main solution for the immigrants' problems.
I believe in an entire country made up of all European countries. Shifting immigrants from Malta to another EU country is like sending these poor people from Marsa to Mellieha. Europe should be considered as a single nation determined to eradicate the problem completely. With the proposed burden sharing Malta will still be affected with the difference that the negative effects would be greater and spread over a longer period!!
Gonzi and Muscat should try and work this out together and show Europe that the Maltese are ready to lecture them what are the true European values. If we're not going to be strong in Brussels, the EU would take the easy route. We will be left in status quo!!
Denis Catania
Sep 21st 2008, 22:18
Dr Gonzi you need to realize that the Maltese are losing their quality of life. What do you suggest Marsa, Birzebbuga and parts of Gozo do, that already lost their quality of life. Due to the high influx of illegal immigrants.
Albert Muscat
Sep 21st 2008, 21:45
Its all about business. Export and Import
• Production:
Europe manufactures weapons. And weapon’s market is a lucrative business. Everybody knows that these weapons are not used inside Europe, at large scale, at least since, WWII.
Marketing: A market must be found to sell the weapons, manufactured in both Europe and USA. (Africa is the nearest market- taking into consideration the long colonial period by many European countries)
Marketing tools: creating political un-stability
Wars: Then people leaves home. Heading to Europe. (Malta is victimized in between)
• In Europe
Too many political parties and all are hungry for power. This apply on all politicians of any color (Red-Blue-Green-Yellow...etc) and from any direction (Right-Center Right-Far Right-Left-Center Left- Far Left-Upside Down…etc
People reaction: Every body talks. This includes top EU Politicians to Mary tal Hut at Marsaxlokk fish market.
Michelle Dali
Sep 21st 2008, 21:07
With all the best intentions in the world, Dr Gonzi, tiny Malta cannot solve the ills of the African continent. It is your duty as PM of this small nation to act in the national interest first and foremost. Christian values, moral duties and international humanitarian obligations should not be used as an excuse to shirk your duty to your country. What will have been achieved if, in the presumptious and futile attempt to 'save Africa', you cause the ruination of your own country? Will this not then be a double tragedy?
louise vella
Sep 21st 2008, 18:18
The proof that Dr Gonzi and Dr Mifsud Bonnici are doing the work of the NGOs is that the NGOs have been silent for the last several months.
Dr Gonzi and Dr Mifsud Bonnici have forgotten that they are responsible for the welfare and security of the State of Malta, not for the defence of Christian values, moral duties, international humanitarian obligations and other empty words that are not meant to solve the worsening situation with illegal immigrants.
Emma Xerri
Sep 21st 2008, 18:16
Christian Values aside, the PM should be putting the pressure at the root of the problem in the African continent. It is unfair to use our Christianity againsts our self-interest and preservation. PM how about putting pressure on the West to:
• Stop the economic rape of Africa by International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, under the guise of free market economic restructuring which has resulted in the wholesale theft of the natural resources by US/EU Corporations.
• Stopping the sales of arms and weapons to African countries
• Forgiving illegal debts with the West accrued by African despots, propped up by Western Governments, and with which the African people are still burdened
• Putting pressure on the countries that are funding and backing the Civil War in Nigeria, where Arab militia are fighting and exterminating Christians, with the twin goals of Islamification of Nigeria and controlling its oil resources.
• Somalia – another country ruined by infighting and wars with its neighbours to extend Islamic hegemony. Who is supplying them with arms?
Unless the root of the problems causing vast migrations out of Africa are solved, we will continue to b innundated with the problem of illegal immigrants.
Michelle Dali
Sep 21st 2008, 14:57
Burden sharing is a mistake. It will only encourage more human trafficking - risking the lives of more men, women and children. It will also greatly increase Malta's illegal immigration problems.
Apart from that, the other EU countries have their own immigration problems and they will never agree to take Malta's immigrants. Its time the government faces up to this reality. Forget burden sharing and work on finding ways to PREVENT people from trying to get into Europe illegally.
V Fenech
Sep 21st 2008, 14:42
"Words don't come easy, to me, how can I find a way, ...."
F.R. David song really matches Gonzi's situation.
Apart from the fact that the pm should be ashamed of the hatred coming out of his deputy's mouth during his speech, he should be concerned of certain persons sitting behind him!!!!
Charles Sammut
Sep 21st 2008, 14:19
Overheard in Mogadishu:
"Abdul, did you hear that? Dr Gonzi is negotiating our relocation to the EU and even the USA if we make it to Malta."
John Portelli
Sep 21st 2008, 13:34
Discusse what??? with EU? THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT MALTA.THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.And on the picture above is the solution. THE PEOPLE.
IF THE PEOPLE ARE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION THEY ARE A PART OF THE PROBLEM. THEY VOTED PN FOR WHAT??????????????????????????????????????????
STEPHEN FARRUGIA
Sep 21st 2008, 12:26
The EU have to agree to something with the Maltese government because our government will not sign. The real problem is what will they agree upon? will it be a real solution?
The JRS are interested in funds, not people, in reality. I think, I know what will happen. More funds, richer JRS, more immigrants for Malta. PROSIT!!!
Lets hope I am wrong.
Joanne Micallef
Sep 21st 2008, 12:11
Nothing new really, the EU ministers have been discussing burden sharing for nearly 2 years now. The real news will come when IT ACTUALLY HAPPENS.
Louis Gialanze
Sep 21st 2008, 12:05
Just wait untill Brussels dangles the usual carrot - a couple of million euros and expect a 180 degree about turn in the government stance on burden sharing.
Beggars cannot be choosers!
Chris Borg
Sep 21st 2008, 11:12
Talks talks talks ..... talk is cheap Mr. Prime Minister, and for every word you say another illegal immigrant lands on our shores.
How will other eu countries choose which illegals they will accept in their countries?? will they take the most educated and skilled ones dumping the most dubious ones in Malta??
Sharing???? that's real good news to the traffickers that will find less resistance to do their dirty work.
With all this talk about "burden sharing" you are doing the marketing for these human traffickers. The more you talk the more they rub their hands dreaming of the big bucks.