Editorial
No burden-sharing, no deal
When the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum was first mooted as one of the priorities of the French Presidency, The Times welcomed it as an outstanding opportunity to ensure the incorporation into the pact of a binding commitment to some form of intra-EU burden-sharing mechanism.
The Times was clear that "while such a mechanism will be difficult, though not impossible to negotiate, it is vital in an area of over-riding national interest that Malta's dire predicament is fully recognised in a meaningful and practical way if the cry of "solidarity" is not simply to remain so much empty EU rhetoric.
In its present form, the Immigration Pact is barely worth the paper it is written on. Unless there are changes to it which give Malta some hope of equitable sharing of its burden with others in the EU, the government should refuse to be a party to it.
The Times, therefore, thoroughly supports the line which Malta took in Brussels last week that it will not accept a deal on a new Immigration Pact without a clear commitment to a burden-sharing mechanism. Although France is pushing for a final deal to be reached this week during a meeting of EU Justice Ministers, Malta has insisted that the final text must include a commitment that countries on the EU's border that receive a disproportionate number of asylum-seekers will be supported by other states in sharing that burden. The government has said that if burden-sharing is not included as part of the pact it is not prepared to agree to the deal.
It is absolutely right to adopt this tough stance. It has the whole-hearted support of every citizen in this country in doing so. There has been a steady influx of illegal immigrants to this country over the last seven years. About 11,500 have arrived here in that time - the equivalent in proportional terms to 1.7 million arriving in France or 1.6 million in Italy. This year alone Malta has received about 2,400 arrivals (an increase on last year of about 40 per cent), the equivalent of 360,000 in France or 336,000 in Italy, a country which has also borne the brunt of this influx - but to a proportionally smaller extent than Malta.
Living in Malta today are some 5,500 asylum-seekers or those who have been given protected status. About 2,300 of these are in detention. While the numbers as a proportion of our population are not yet excessive - as measured by some European standards - in a country as small as this, which has never before experienced a foreign influx of this magnitude or the challenges and, yes, strains of multi-culturalism, the impact is substantial.
There can be no argument that Malta is bearing a disproportionate burden and should be helped by other countries to take some of the strain. While a mechanism which shared out, say, 1,000 a year from Malta would have minimal impact on the larger countries, for Malta it would represent relief of a major kind.
The government must remain resolute on this issue of such great national importance. If necessary, the Prime Minister should refuse to sign the pact when it reaches heads of state and of government level. On this issue, Malta must not be brow-beaten. If necessary, it must have the courage to stand alone.
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Michelle Dali
Sep 23rd 2008, 21:47
I feel strongly that burden sharing is not the answer to Malta's illegal immigration problems, especially if the government agrees to compromise by allowing it on a voluntary basis. As others have stated before me, no EU government will volunteer to exacerbate their own immigration problems to help Malta. The EU is showing clear signs that it is happy to use Malta as a buffer zone to keep illegal immigrants from flooding into Europe.
It is vital that Malta's government adopts a tough stance in the national interest. Burden sharing and Frontex will only increase the flood of immigrants crossing over from Africa to Europe, thus worsening Malta's burden. I urge the government to declare that because we can no longer cope with the huge numbers, Malta cannot continue bringing in immigrants, so unless they are taken to another country in the EU, for example Italy, France, Spain or Greece, Malta cannot be held responsible for their safety. They will be given fuel, food and water and a spare dinghy if they have sunk their own, and sent back to Libya. This tough but necessary stance will discourage human traffickers from engaging in further acts of criminality.
Stephen Farrugia
Sep 23rd 2008, 20:57
Don't come back to Malta without a solution.
If the EU does not solve the problem, they can pack up and leave from Malta.
If we don't have a result, the political situation in Malta will pass through a very big change.
STEPHEN FARRUGIA
Sep 23rd 2008, 20:44
If the government fails, it will never hear the end of it- I PROMISE.
jimmy magro
Sep 23rd 2008, 19:03
Are there any EU or local laws that require the Government to maintain a database of all illegal immigrants and asylum seekers? Even if in the negative, is the Government in a position to place on the Table of the HoR a register with names, nationality, reason for being in Malta, statuts, and location of all i-i and a-s in Malta?
Can the Government publishes a detailed list of the direct and indirect costs - including capital expenditure - involved with search and rescue operations for i-i, the cost of board and lodging in Malta, cost of extradition flights, cost of attending EU meetings regarding the issue, etc? I wonder where is the Public Accounts Committee? Where is PBS investigate journalist? Where are all the other journalists and MP to ask questions and get the truth and nothing but the truth.
I would make a B-B-Q in Parliament at least to get the facts out. Where is the Freedom of Information Act?
john fenech
Sep 23rd 2008, 15:22
It is evident that the Immigration pact is a tool to serve a few European countries only and offer next to nothing towards our predicament. Therefore I would go a step further than just an agreement to burden sharing. We should demand that such an agreement will be implemented within the next six months, since we have been knocking on the EU door since 2004. Otherwise the bureaucracy at Brussels will put our agreement on the back burner for eternity.
louise vella
Sep 23rd 2008, 15:02
You write: “While the numbers … are not yet excessive - as measured by some European standards - in a country as small as this, which has never before experienced a foreign influx of this magnitude or the challenges and, yes, strains of multi-culturalism, the impact is substantial.”
Yes, but why do other European countries have greater experience of foreign influxes and the strains of multi-culturalism?
Colonial powers used to recruit subjects of their colonies to fight in their armies. The Gurkhas of Nepal were famous, as was the saying that the French would fight till the last Algerian or Senegalese. Such a strong bonding naturally results in foreign influxes, as does the aura of supremacy of the empire builders.
Moreover, rich developed countries tried to weaken the power of their trade unions by importing foreign labour. This was the origin of the German gastarbeiter (guest-worker) programme to recruit temporary Turkish workers whose wages and other conditions were lower than for German workers.
Bigger European countries have directly or indirectly provoked their ‘foreign influxes’. Malta has not: it neither had colonies nor has it invited illegal immigrants to break the power of Maltese unionized labour.
albert leone ganado
Sep 23rd 2008, 13:57
On this issue where the position taken by our government has the support of virtually the whole population it is time that all our MEPs start acting hard by raising their voices and digging in their heels. It is important that they garner as much support as possible both within the EU parliament and the executive corridors of power in Brussels.
I also hope that our Government will not cave in under pressure or accept some meaningless pacifier of the Frontex type but have the political courage to veto the measure as it stands in the Council of ministers if we do not get. a definite remedy and solution to this immigrant problem.
E. Azzopardi
Sep 23rd 2008, 13:15
I wouldn't be surprised if they pass this resolution without Malta's backing, veto or no veto!!!
Being little tiny Malta ( and they used to tell us that we shall have as much a voice as the big ones like Germany and France) one can always find a loophole and get on with it. We should have stamped our feet a long time ago but we need to show them we mean business. This is urgent and we should solve it right now. Or else.............
Iris Azzopardi
Sep 23rd 2008, 12:36
When this leader was still in the press, Malta had already backed down!
According to a news agency report, when faced with opposition from countries like Germany, the Maltese government surrendered its tough position, and accepted a empty and meaningless promise that the European Commission, in consultation with UNHCR, will 'facilitate a voluntary and coordinated re-allocation' of asylum seekers.
Pierre Agius
Sep 23rd 2008, 12:29
I entirely agree with the opinion expressed in this leader. I am also strongly in favour of the line adopted by the government. Good luck to all and keep steady regardless of the preassures from the other EU countries to give in. No more promises but action please. One final comment. I read the comments of many common Maltese like myself expressing support for the government, but none from the Opposition. Please Opposition speak up, now is the time to stand up and be counted. remeber he who is not with us, is against us!
Alex Spiteri
Sep 23rd 2008, 12:27
I wonder when the Burden Sharing proposal will be understood fully by our little politicians!
how can we continue to press with this idea as a solution to the illegal immigration issue, when most of new elected governments in europe are gaining ground simply because they run on an anti-immigration platform? why sarkozy won? why berlusconi won? merkel?
and we should expect that other governments agree to take our immigrants, when all europe is flooded with non-europeans and this is a threat faced by all europe!
the solutions for immigration are very simple, STOP THEM FROM COMING IN and START REPATRIATIONS!
unfortunately, all parties avoid basic solutions. even the so called anti-immigration group Azzjoni Nazzjonali run over a burden sharing proposal!
and what would be the aim of a national demonstration mrs joanne micallef? putting more pressure on the government on the issue? the government don't need any more awareness from the public, he got it already. what is needed is a consciousness for the people to start look elsewhere from the mainstream politicians if they really want solutions!
Joseph Cauchi
Sep 23rd 2008, 11:01
What happens if the "Burden Sharing" clause is not accepted in the document?
The situation is the status quo !
I believe that the Government should at all costs insist on the "Burden Sharing" clause, as this will give Malta some leverage.
The problem we are facing with these invasions of illegal immigrants is coming from Libya. Period.
Therefore the EU should tackle this problem directly withLibya.
If Malta succeeds in inserting this "clause" in the document, those EU countries who reluctantly accept this clause, will do their utmost to stem the flood of illegal immigrants by forcing Libya to come to some sort of agreement in halting these crossings from the Libyan shores.
I believe this is the only solution for Malta. If the crossings are halted then no more invasion on our shores.
So, I kindly urge our Prime Minister, not to give up, but insist on this "clause".
If the worse come to the worst, then we use our only last weapon and that is the "VETO".
I believe in the competence of our representatives in Brussels who are capable enough to get an advantageous agreement in our favour, without the use of the "Veto".
Good Luck.
Joanne Micallef
Sep 23rd 2008, 10:15
I stand firm in my belief that a National Demonstration should be organized to show our discontent at the way the EU is ignoring our plight when it is clear to everyone that our National Interest is at stake here.
victor caruana
Sep 23rd 2008, 09:38
Malta is check-mated. If there is no deal, things remain as they are now. No big deal in keeping the status quo. So, where is our bargaining power? Another example of Malta's irrelevance in the EU!
Sandro Pace
Sep 23rd 2008, 09:25
A totally agreeable editorial. The Maltese expect nothing from the government but total rejection if there are no clear measurable commitments from the EU. But it is difficult, cause the EU is a collection of disjoint countries, and nothing else. It is unrealistic to believe that these countries' Justice Ministers are going to tell their countrymen that they've accepted a systematic influx of immigrants from Malta. Given the public opinion everywhere.
Malta should prepare for more line of actions, cause even if this resolution would not pass, we will still be in a bad situation. Malta should unilaterally withdraw by lack of co-operation from EU immigration control mechanisms, and must facilitate immigrants' move upwards. And nothing should hinder this.
Those taking decisions about our country are foreigners who do not live the utter negative effects of these decisions.
I sense that society is not going to remain indifferent to this unacceptable status quo.