Immigration: "Extremely difficult for us to continue to carry such a burden" - Gonzi
The Prime Minister told the United Nations General Assembly this evening that it has become very difficult for Malta to carry the burden of migration. “Malta is well aware of its responsibilities in this area. However, as has been highlighted on...
The Prime Minister told the United Nations General Assembly this evening that it has become very difficult for Malta to carry the burden of migration.
“Malta is well aware of its responsibilities in this area. However, as has been highlighted on numerous occasions, it is extremely difficult for us to continue to carry such a burden which is so acutely disproportionate to the size of the country and its population.
“It is for this reason that Malta has continuously requested assistance in tackling this problem through the principles of solidarity and sharing of responsibilities from Europe and other countries as well as from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Malta is grateful to those countries which have come forward to assist us in coping with this phenomenon. Nevertheless, much more needs to be done by us all, including the countries of origin and the countries of transit,” Dr Gonzi said.
In his address Dr Gonzi touched on many of the world’s concerns.
He said that the fight against terrorism must remain high on the world’s agenda.
“We should not lower our guard. We must always be vigilant and ready to take collective and practical action on a daunting, complex and politically sensitive challenge.”
The world also had a responsibility to protect the environment and to act on climate change.
“Next December, we will be commemorating the 20th Anniversary from when this Assembly, on the proposal of Malta, adopted its resolution 43/53 entitled ‘Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind’ and which as a result the General Assembly recognised that ‘Climate Change is a Common Concern of Mankind’. Malta is proud that the seminal proposal launched in 1988 found universal support which eventually led to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol,” Dr Gonzi said.
Malta, he said, reiterated its conviction that all countries had a common obligation and responsibility to support ambitious and urgent action to stop and overturn the accumulation of greenhouse gases which was causing detrimental climate change.
Dr Gonzi said Malta was continuing to direct its efforts towards making the Mediterranean a region of peace and cooperation.
It welcomed progress on the Cyprus question, the renewed vigour in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the indirect negotiations between Israel and Syria with Turkish mediation, the formation of a national unity Government in Lebanon, and the improved relations between Lebanon and Syria.
The Union for the Mediterranean within the Barcelona Process was also viewed by Malta as a significant milestone in common efforts to promote security and prosperity in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
“Malta is looking forward to working constructively with other Members of the Union to address some of the problems which the Mediterranean confronts, including in particular development, food security, water and energy,” Dr Gonzi said.
After he referred to illegal migration, Dr Gonzi said that Africa continued to present with a formidable challenge, not only for African countries themselves, but for the whole of the international community. Malta remained very concerned that progress in Africa was still lagging behind.
“We have an obligation to enhance efforts to assist African countries to meet their legitimate goals of sustainable development,” Dr Gonzi said.