Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Malta gets its way
Welcome graffiti in different languages greet visitors at the Ħal Far open centre. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
The concept of burden-sharing in the case of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers has been entrenched in the new European Union pact on migration which, if approved by the EU leaders next month, will set the EU policy in this sector for the years to come.
EU justice ministers yesterday accepted Malta's insistence to include burden-sharing as part and parcel of the EU pact and reached a final political agreement that now technically only needs the endorsement of the European Council next month.
Over the past weeks Malta had been insisting on the need to include a commitment towards burden sharing with its counterparts, who at first resisted the idea. However, following pressure at EU Permanent Representatives level and discussions between Malta's Justice Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici and European Commissioner Jacques Barrot, the last resisting member states lifted their objections.
"We have managed to reach our target," an upbeat Dr Mifsud Bonnici told The Times soon after the Council meeting in Brussels.
"We were already very positive that the French presidency was pushing forward this new migration pact and the fact that we have been successful in including in it the burden-sharing concept is a big step forward for Malta. We have managed to convince everyone that Malta needs help to ease the impact of asylum seekers and illegal migrants on our country."
The most important part of the pact for Malta concerns the way the EU will be treating asylum and, on Malta's insistence, the pact's text now refers specifically to the island's needs.
"For those member states, which are faced with specific and disproportionate pressures on their national asylum systems, due in particular to their geographical or demographic situation, solidarity shall also aim to promote, on a voluntary and co-ordinated basis, better re-allocation of beneficiaries of international protection from such member states to others, while ensuring that asylum systems are not abused," the pact states.
"In accordance with those principles, the Commission, in consultation with the UNHCR where appropriate, will facilitate such voluntary and coordinated re-allocation. Specific funding under existing EU financial instruments should be provided for this re-allocation, in accordance with budgetary procedures."
Although this is considered as a very important step in Malta's endeavours to get more help from the EU on asylum and illegal migration, the pact on its own does not mean that a solution will be found tomorrow.
Following final approval next month, the Commission will have to start transforming the pact into action by making official proposals on how the new burden-sharing mechanism is to work. This will then need to be endorsed once again by EU member states.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici warned that, although this is a very important political step ahead, it's not a final conclusion in itself.
"We have managed to put burden sharing on the EU agenda as part of its policy and this was not easy in the EU context. Obviously, we will now continue to exert pressure and promote our views. But now, at least, there is policy cast in stone and the burden-sharing concept will have to be introduced. We will continue to press for this even at Commission level."
Asked whether it would have been better if the new mechanism was not just on a voluntary basis as this might mean that no other member state will eventually accept to take any of Malta's asylum seekers, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that this will not be the case. "We can't impose on sovereign member states what to do and whom to take. But the most important thing is that this is now EU policy and I am sure that member states will participate in this new mechanism," he said.
The Malta Labour Party said it was not satisfied with the agreement, pointing out that the system agreed to is a voluntary one and no EU member state is obliged to participate in it.
The burden-sharing principle applies only to recognised refugees and the majority of illegal immigrants that arrive in Malta are not considered refugees and are therefore not covered by the agreed pact.
The MLP said there was no indication when the burden-sharing agreement would be put into practice, nor was it known what funds would be made available.
Reacting to the MLP's comments, the government pointed out that the agreed system would be applicable to the majority of migrants landing in Malta. This was because the numbers of those qualifying for international protection was rising and in fact this year these should exceed 60 per cent of arrivals. In addition, those not qualifying for international protection would be repatriated also through EU funding and assistance.
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129 Comments
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Joseph W. Galea
Oct 9th 2008, 08:15
Silly me, for a minute I thought that ALL illegal immigrants are going to be repatriated and, no more will come in. What a stupid dream.
Antoine Zammit
Oct 2nd 2008, 13:51
To me this type of burden-sharing means that leaders of large countries in the E.U are refusing to even try and solve the problem of Illegal immigration, let alone succeeding..
Its just a very politically correct way to avoid responsility.
Like as the Maltese proverb says: "Traqqa l-pannu bil-qargha ahmar"
To Malta and its government, this will bring more and more problems. Problems which we did not cause in the first place, and Malta is getting and will be getting more and more beating from two opposite sides.
From the one side we will all be accused, more and more of being unhospital and racist, and from the other, the political class will be targeted from far right sypathizers as traitors of the 'patria' and what have you. Thanks Europe!
Maria Whitehead
Oct 2nd 2008, 04:48
@ George Mifsud
You obviously did not read Kevin Rudd's speach that if people want to emigrate to Australia, they Must be able to integrate in AUSTRALIA"s society and partake in the common good of the country. He also said that if they wanted to live in australia- they had to learn the rules and the language of australia and not expect the australians to learn theirs! oh and we do not have illegal immigrants in australia rowing over from other countries in large and continous amounts ...do we George? reality is Malta is too small to accomodate them and I have yet to find one good justification for it all. And dont mention christianity.... charity begins at home.
Ronnie Gauci
Sep 28th 2008, 22:56
Let's start by landing the newly arrived 101 immigrants directly to Brussels compliments of Air Malta, then we'll see of they mean business.
R.Gauci
Sep 28th 2008, 21:56
Malta gets its way: ANOTHER 101 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IMMA!!
G.Hoare
Sep 28th 2008, 20:58
@ George Mifsud
Your choice was to live in Aussie land and you were welcome , the Australians refused to take any illegal immigrants, Malta is smaller then your town you live in, how would you like it to take some of these people on your land and see how you like it .i lived in the UK long enough to know what im talking about when you enter a no go zone , what i found strange is it wasnt even their land , and do you believe that if you invade their country like they are doing here they are gonna welcome you,
I DONT THINK SO .MALTA IS flooded with CHINESE , RUSSIANS ,ALL SORT but the AFRICANs are coming over without any papers .MALTA 4 the MALTESE
josef sammut
Sep 28th 2008, 20:21
Malta did not get its way!
Dear Prime Minister, please stand up and be counted, you still have time to do it, and we are all behind you.
Stephen Sultana
Sep 28th 2008, 20:13
Such agreement is already giving results!!! You see, landed 28 illegal immigrants instead of 32............ Hahahaha
Hon, such Illegal pact that is going to be endorsed will leave us with the same problems!!
albert leone ganado
Sep 28th 2008, 18:29
Dr Carm Mifsud Bonnici has now joined the big league
Frank Sinatra says "I do it my way"
Dr CMB says "I get it my way"
So let us all sit back and enjoy the two refrains. Of course if you do not have regrets!!!
Guze Xerri
Sep 28th 2008, 16:51
@ George Mifsud,
From personal experience, I can tell you that multiculturalism is a disaster.
It is a corrosive plan foisted by the gobal elite on the mainly white prosperous homogeneous peoples of the world to create disharmony amongst them,it is the old divide and rule technique, perfect if you plan to form one world government.
Multiculturalism's traveling companion is always Political Correctness.
As for mixing with other races, tell that to the same global elite and royal family dynasties.
These crooks and murderers go out of their way to marry inside their own family bloodlines and have been doing just that for centuries.
That might account for the elite's psychopathic tendencies.
It is always do as I say, not do as I do.
How come multiculturalism is never shoved down the throat of the people of Japan and China?
L Aquilina
Sep 28th 2008, 16:29
April fool's joke in September.
Ivan Attard
Sep 28th 2008, 14:55
@George Mifsud
Good thing people like you have emigrated. Please stay out of sight now.
Charles Sammut
Sep 28th 2008, 13:44
100 new Maltese residents, compliments the Italian Navy.
The Italians have been the first to implement this "burden sharing" agreement. But due to language difficulties they confused "sharing" with "dumping".
Prosit Drs Gonzi & Mifsud Bonnici with politicians like you, who needs . . . . . . . .
John Portelli
Sep 28th 2008, 13:43
People, voluntary means voluntary and not mandatory (bii fors). As the words indicates, the Maltese government got nothing. Absolutely nothing and the Prime Minister knows this and the Maltese citizen knows this. Only some fool who accepts the word of the government as the bible will think otherwise.
dbugeja
Sep 28th 2008, 12:52
Mr George Muscat These people are coming here illegally without any documentation. We are not protesting because we do not want to mix with coloured people. these people are being a burden on us.Malta is not Australia it has little resources on its economy and we simply can t afford to pay more taxes to feed them, nurse them give them jobs, pay welfare and house them. SIMPLY NOT. The country where you live threatened them not to trepass. Australia had the same problem with them but the government shooed them back!
gaffarena joseph
Sep 28th 2008, 11:11
We have to see first what we are having, and whats coming our way.
Up to now we had only words, they are still coming here and taking our jobs,
Now we are seeing them everywhere.Soon we regret this, and the people will soon give his verdict in the coming mep,s ellection.
mark farrugia
Sep 28th 2008, 05:49
What a joke. The EU has finaly agreed to add into it's policy ,regarding illegal immigrants, the concept of burden sharing on a voluntary basis. This is only a cosmetic solution only. Which member is going to be so kind and take some of the hundreds of illegal immigrants which will keep on landing more and more each year. Something has to be done fast before it is too late, such as help these immigrants in their respective countries ect ect.
EU STOP taking us the Maltese and other countries,which are facing these illegal immigrants,for a ride.
STEPHEN FARRUGIA
Sep 28th 2008, 03:37
@ M Pace
Are you serious? I veto you.
George Mifsud
Sep 28th 2008, 02:46
G'day from Australia,
To all Maltese - start being part of this global world - start living in this world of 21st century - mix with other races. Please find link hereunder and we are still lagging behind in Sydney
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/simmering-tensions-downside-of-diversity/2008/09/27/1222217588520.html
Best wishes to Dr Carm Mifsud Bonnici - and congretulations for the hard working government.
J.Borg
Sep 28th 2008, 00:09
This is a HUGE mistake!!! Now Malta is a gateway to Europe and now more migrants are going to come to Malta! And don't think that the other countries are gonna take hundreds from Malta. From the past 2 weeks 4 boats with 200-300 migrants each arrived at Lampedusa, now those boats will come to Malta cause they have a better chance to go to Germany, France, Sweden etc....This is gonna suck!
David Seychell
Sep 27th 2008, 15:58
"Frontex operations have limited effect not because the operations in themselves are flawed but because there exists no agreement with Libya regarding re-admission of immigrants." From Frontex - deterring human trafficking by Minister Tonio Borg - Times of Malta 25 sept 2008.
This is a lousy excuse Mr Minister. Gaddafi's firm and consistent position on this issue was crystal clear even to polar bears well BEFORE Frontex even existed as an idea. If someone tries to build his house on the mud, no wonder the project fails but it's not the mud's fault. It's the designer's fault. Hence it's not an excuse to say that Frontex failed because it depended on Gaddafi's cooperation and generosity.
We are fed up Mr Minister, of this escalating problem. We are fed up of being treated like retards. We are fed up of being called racists by our own politicians and abused with the excuse of our 'christian values'.
I look at a couple of conventions our wise politicians signed, I look at Frontex and the 'Voluntary Pact' and then I look at the end of the tunnel and see no light.
joe zahra
Sep 27th 2008, 14:46
what did malta get after all!!!!!!!!!!!!
Corinne Vella
Sep 27th 2008, 13:35
Tony Formosa: "I can't understand why a lot of contributors here are not acknowledging this pact as a step forward"
That's because they didn't get what they want or didn't understand what they got. More likely, it's both.
Corinne Vella
Sep 27th 2008, 13:32
Stephen Farrugia: Maltese people are Europeans. Hadn't you noticed?
P Debono
Sep 27th 2008, 13:10
@ Samantha Lewis.
Please go and do some research before you come up with your pro-illegal-immigrant agenda. I invite you to visit Hal Far and Albert Town, hell, even Valletta, and count the number of African illegal immigrants that you'll find. Then go and research the number of immigrants from Eastern Europe. You will find that besides the fact that the former far outweigh the latter by thousands of illegals, the vast majority of Eastern Europeans aren't even ILLEGAL immigrants. They've got documents and their status is confirmed.
So before you spout your pro-illegal-African-loving self-pity agenda, get your facts straight.
c.t. busuttil
Sep 27th 2008, 10:19
We're such a smart nation, as anyone can see from the comments below. Yet once again we rely on our foreign friends to solve our problems on the one hand and take every opportunity to insult them on the other. Its what we are best at.
Franco Farrugia
Sep 27th 2008, 10:12
'Get La Vallette out of his grave and he`ll handle this silent invasion of our island much better.'
Are you time-warped, by any chance? Are you still affixiated to the times when people were decapitated and their heads used as cannon-balls????? Is that what you have in mind by raising La Vallette from his grave? Is that what you are insinuating? Something in that region? Let people die? Or turn one's head the other way? No way!
E. Azzopardi
Sep 27th 2008, 09:58
Utterly misleading heading, in my opinion!!
A Daley
Sep 27th 2008, 09:44
@M Pace: Prior to this development there was no legal framework to refer to ask other member states to help us - unquote.
Before we joined the EU, all we heard was negotiations, negotiations.
WHAT WAS NEGOTIATED, M Pcae?
WHAT?
Tell us.
Come on - tell us!
Charles Sammut
Sep 27th 2008, 09:43
If Dr Gonzi and the pro governement media feel that this "agreement" will solve our illegal immigration problem then apply the same principle to taxation.
Let taxation be on a voluntary basis and see what happens. This gimmick might fool a few credulous PN followers but not the rest.
Illegal immigrants saddle a country with much more than financial burden. The most serious concern is social rather than economic.
As Lord Carey, ex Archbishop of Canterbury said a few days ago,
"Immigration weakens the glue that binds a nation." (Daily Express, 11Sept 2008, page 8)
A Daley
Sep 27th 2008, 09:39
Now come on guys, credit where it’s due!
If this “agreement” is good enough for DCG, it is good enough for everyone else!
So where are the numbers and percentages?
Yet again, EU has taken PN for another expensive ride.
Enjoy the foggy future!
Pity DCG had not joined forces with UK's Gordon Brown in Washington, to give the US senators a piece of her brilliant mind to solve the Wall St. problems.
What a pity!
M Pace
Sep 27th 2008, 08:59
But seriously, what do we expect? Other member states sending boats or planes to pick up people from detention or open centres or better randomly off the streets? This is a first step and irrespective of those who are ignorant of how such deals are struck it is a good one. Of course the devil is in the details but let us wait for the details. Prior to this development there was no legal framework to refer to ask other member states to help us. There was possibly and arguably a moral one. All this talk of being "tough" makes me smile. What exactly are we going to "threaten" other EU states with? Are we going to shut off our oil piplelines? "Xenati" may work in Malta but they do not in the real world.
Joseph duca
Sep 27th 2008, 00:35
Malta gets its way?????????? Hallina!
Everything remained the same.
Cabinet resign. Get La Vallette out of his grave and he`ll handle this silent invasion of our island much better.
I.Scicluna
Sep 26th 2008, 23:35
It looks like Malta's in the running to "be had" once again!
Maltese MEPs should vote "NO" to anything and everything the EU tries to legislate until the Burden Sharing is mandatory and not just voluntary.
Malta is a tiny rock with only 5 votes, but it also has the veto on certain issues. Some people forget that we have already done this in the past...in Helsinki and by none other than MINTOFF; the guy lots of people here love to hate!
If only everyone had Mintoff's guts to do the same and say, "Issa daqsekk!"
Chris Borg
Sep 26th 2008, 21:14
Joseph Muscat is neither racist nor xenophobic. If he was he wouldn't have voted in favour of legal third country (i.e. non-eu) immigrants having the right to vote in local council elections (a right which eu "immigrants" already enjoy). Wanting our EU partners to share in our burden has got nothing to do with racism. Where's the solidarity the EU talks so much about?
Those saying that JM is racist are just showing that they don't even know what the concept of racism is. And by the way, other left-wing Parties (eg New Zealand Labour) around the globe are in favour of managing immigration. If immigration is unmanaged and runs out of hand it is likely that both the locals and the immigrants will suffer. Do we need yet another proof that laissez-faire politics do not work? If we share our immigrants with our EU partners it would be much easier to integrate the remaining ones.
Edward Demicoli
Sep 26th 2008, 19:30
Hi Everyone.
It is important that everyone understands what a break through this really is. Malta has been trying to get the other Member States to agree to burden sharing for years now. For the first time the concept of burden sharing is enshrined in an EU text agreed to by ALL THE 27 MEMBER STATES. Countries that up to now could not care less what is happening in Malta have agreed to give the plight of the Island a special status. The Eu could not act until such an agreement has been reached. The agreement, even though on a voluntary basis (it would not have happened had it not been), means that now refugees can be reallocated in other Member States within an agreed mechanism for which finances will be allocated by the EU. This together with other initiatives being taken by the EU on financing the repatriation of migrants refused refugee status should start in alleviating the problem we have on this Island. Does this mean that everything is perfect? Of course not, but it is a step, a big step in the right direction. Everyone should at least recognise this.
Charles Sammut
Sep 26th 2008, 19:12
Drs. Gonzi & Mifsud Bonnici;
You can fool all the people for some time,
You can fool some people all the time,
But you cannot fool all the people all the time.
You have achieved nothing, on the contrary we are now in hotter water, so at least don't brag about it.
You ain't fooling me at all.
Marlene Vella
Sep 26th 2008, 19:06
"We don't want Brixtons or Parises all over the island" - but rest assured it's not about colour!!! Isn't it though?
God help those Maltese couples and the black kids they lovingly chose to adopt.
John Borg
Sep 26th 2008, 19:04
Debbie, Malta is my country too (and Samantha's as well for that matter) and I do not need protection by self-appointed defenders of the nation such as people sharing views.
louise vella
Sep 26th 2008, 18:44
Immigration Pact - 3 questions:
1. Which are the EU countries which will take some of our unwanted refugees or asylum seekers or illegal immigrants?
2. How many of them?
3. When?
J smith
Sep 26th 2008, 18:25
My humble opinion is that on voluntary basis it won't work. Time will tell.
albert leone ganado
Sep 26th 2008, 18:22
Ironically so far the United States has taken more of these maltese illegal migrants than the whole of the EU.
Let us hope this new agreement will not be just another lip service exercise of the Frontex type.
Perhaps it would have been better to plead with the US government who seem more understanding of African problems.
David Seychell
Sep 26th 2008, 18:16
This 'voluntary pact' and the way it was reported on tv, would have offended my intelligence even if I were a retarted donkey.
c.zarb
Sep 26th 2008, 18:13
Meanwhile, the shores of a small and overpopulated country are still flooded with illegal immigrants who end exiled here with little chance of improving their lives. I wonder whether colonization (which brought Africa on its knees) was offered as a voluntary basis in the first place.
A great deal…..what a joke. I wonder whether the government would now accept if we start paying taxes on a voluntary basis (since we acknowledge that taxes are necessary for our society).
M.Muscat
Sep 26th 2008, 18:01
Just a small step for the better but definitely not the solution to our problem. Come March 2009 or even a beautiful winter day and we shall be faced with the same situation all over again. My humble opinion is that we must nip the problem in the bud immediately.
Let me ask all over again, when these people arrive we are invariably told that police investigations are carried out. Can someone illuminate us as to what these investigations lead to. Is it possible that out of the thousands interrogated no hint is given as to who are these human traffickers , not even one name which we could pass to Interpol. They tell us of the risks they take and the money they paid but no indication as to the perpetrators and to their departure point. I think that if we could just stop one of the offenders, the rest will cease their operations. Why not try it.
Joe Vella
Sep 26th 2008, 17:57
@ all the nay sayers
HAVE ANYONE OF YOU NOTICED THAT MALTA LEADS THE EU IN JOB CREATION AND THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE KEEPS GOING DOWN MONTH OVER MONTH?
debbie bugeja
Sep 26th 2008, 17:43
Dear Samantha
You must be very narrow minded not to forsee our concern of our country.
Our concern is about any other people who enter Malta illegally without any personal documentation whatsoever. In case you do not know that is a crime. If you are white and you are here illegally that concernsgoes for you too.
So please do not judge us how to react about protecting our country. we have every right to do so..
isobel mcgonigle
Sep 26th 2008, 17:33
@chris fenech
Could you keep me informed of any more special offers,may place a bulk order.
Do they have a sell by date?
Thanks chris ,good to see a bit of humour in what is a very grave situation for Malta
Tony Cassar
Sep 26th 2008, 17:30
@Chris Fenech
Solutions are not made of one thing alone. Solutions are usually found in a number of actions in different directions.
Government never tried to portray burden sharing as the do all and end all of the illegal immigration problem. It never said, for example, that it was going to stop sending failed asylum seekers back to their countries.
This Pact will stop the EU from looking the other way on our problem, which is what it had been doing so far, and the Commission will be forced to put the mechanisms in place and act. We will not start benefiting from this arrangement immediately, obviously, but this is a good start to something positive.
But patience is a virtue.
STEPHEN FARRUGIA
Sep 26th 2008, 17:20
LIBYA
Have you noticed that not only the EU has lost its crediblity but Libya has not moved a finger to do something for Malta.
For those that understand international politics. I bet that if Malta did not support palestine, the immigrant problem would be solved, think. (FOR DEEP THINKERS ONLY) wink!
The European Socialists would move and so would Libya.
a.cassar
Sep 26th 2008, 17:18
And Daphne wrote (in another news paper) that the people who are worried about the migrant influx (read racists according to her) have fallen silent and disappeared! Her internet must be down or something!!!!
CHRIS FENECH
Sep 26th 2008, 16:54
@ Mr. Tony Cassar
We cannot recognise this as a step in the right direction because, away from the political hype of what Lawrence said and Joseph replied, we know that nothing in the imminent future is going to change.
We know for a fact that tomorrow on our way to work, we are going to see immigrants on our roads. When we get back home we are going to watch the news and hear of more illegal immigrants making it to our shores. More still, in a few months time some organisation will issue fresh and updated figures for immigrants and we can anticipate that the number is going to increase. Next summer we will hear again of some failed frontex mission, and again the whole ordeal starts afresh.
Probably we do not want steps in the right direction...probably we want a solution !
James De Giorgio
Sep 26th 2008, 16:47
Thumbs up to our government for persevering!
Eric Soames
Sep 26th 2008, 16:47
Illegal Immigration. Bad for Europe, worse for Malta.
B Borg
Sep 26th 2008, 16:41
Can someone please explain to me what was holding back any country (EU or otherwise) from taking illegals away from us before this ´agreement´ was struck?
@ Samantha Lewis: So why is it that the government in your country not taking all the illegals (African, Asian, European, outer-space aliens, etc.) in Malta away from us? Your comments imply your endorsement of the illegal human trafficking trade and the mafia economy.
The best part of the joke, "ensuring that asylum systems are not abused."
Is this for real? If Malta is not being abused by both the illegals and the EU already, I wonder what may constitute an abuse!
Anthony Busuttil
Sep 26th 2008, 16:33
What need was there for a treaty if there was nothing to stop the other countries sharing the burden voluntarily without the treaty? What if we voluntarily issue the immigrants with Maltese (EU) passports so that they could freely move on where they really want to – mainland Europe? Then we would also be doing our part, voluntarily.
philip pace
Sep 26th 2008, 16:29
To Mr. Formosa,
Please be objective next time and avoid village style negative politics
Tony Cassar
Sep 26th 2008, 16:20
I can't understand why a lot of contributors here are not acknowledging this pact as a step forward for Malta because it sets a policy on immigration for the EU, where there was none before.
This is concrete step in the right direction, so much so that even Joseph Muscat acknowledged that in his sour grapes press release.
As for the rest of his proposals, he can go and tell them to the Marines. No one in his right mind would even dream of forcing states like the United Kingdom into accepting compulsory burden-sharing. It is simply unconcievable and unrealistic, especially when consider that Malta has very little to bargain with.
B Borg
Sep 26th 2008, 16:12
The best part of the joke, "ensuring that asylum systems are not abused."
Is this for real? If Malta is not being abused by both the illegals and the EU already, I wonder what may constitute an abuse!
Alexia Chapman
Sep 26th 2008, 16:06
@Samantha Lewis
It is rich that you accuse the Maltese of being racist when our history and what makes us Maltese is a melting pot of several races that has occupied us throughout history. Malta is a country that survives on tourism therefore the Maltese come face to face with several races on a daily basis... with very little complaints.
The problem with illegal immigration in Malta is that we can't support this huge influx of people, which unlike tourism, do not bring their own money with them. I'm a strong humanitarian and would love to help as many people as I can. For a mother to get on a boat with her child with the knowledge that there is a high possibility of dying is quite desperate. At the same time my whole family is in Malta and for me, as cruel as it sounds, they come first.
So just think a bit first before you comment!
Sandro Pace
Sep 26th 2008, 16:01
The government is singing victory where there isnt. Voluntary means that we are at the mercy of these countries, and when they are full up, they just invoke the voluntary clause. The EU is not even falling short of recognising our physical realities.
As Mr. Martin Portelli said, our government was unassertive.
Yes, it was in Malta's right and capabilities to block this agreement. Or was it a lie that every country around the table is treated as equal? This is all an election ploy. There was no need to entrench this 'voluntary' clause in the agreement. Only the gullible will be fooled by it. Some other EU countries like Latvia and the Netherlands took some immigrants, without this clause.
The major immigration problem and threat to our country is by the continous inflow of African boat people, cause unlike overstayers for example, our country has to provide everything for them, and you cant even send them back, cause they are uncooperative. They just come in and stay, and probably more from where they came from.
Any talk of identity will be labelled racism, but it is also an issue, however one hides it.
chris fenech
Sep 26th 2008, 15:55
@isobel mcgonigle
Since it is on a voluntary basis, you decide how you want them.
At the moment there is a special offer.......take two dozens...we add an extra dozen for free...and they come gift wrapped too.
Pauline Barbara
Sep 26th 2008, 15:54
@ Samantha Lewis
Joseph Muscat said we should not get tough with the Immigrants but with EU to help the country deal with this problem, because financially we can not continue to support so many illegal immigrants. PN knows it as well but somehow they think burden sharing on a voluntary basis is going to solve this problem. Tell us what in Joseph Muscats' statement constitutes being racist or fanning racist sentiments?? If he had been banging on about how these coloured people would bring an end to our community as we know it, or that these coloured people are taking our jobs (sentiments felt by many) then yes I would agree with you, however Joseph Muscat has only stated that the EU needs to commit itself more to helping us as financially we can not cope with this situation - Mr Cassola of AD said the same as Joseph Muscat that burden sharing should have been on a mandatory not voluntary basis, but has anyone from PN accused Mr. Cassola of jumping on the racist bandwagon - No. PN are using such wording against Joseph Muscat for political gain nothing else.
Adrian Camilleri
Sep 26th 2008, 15:53
@Sam Lewis
It depends what agenda have the person whom assisted you in the translation. It does make a difference. You can always paste it here, so we all see the sentence/paragraph in question.
You can't stand the fact that Joseph is the best shot we have as Maltese when it comes to negotiating with other EU leaders.
It's almost a fact that Gonzi & co. doesn't have the gutts to stand for OUR RIGHTS. He won the election, and that's what matters for him and his Party........unfortunately for me and 50% of the population.
STEPHEN FARRUGIA
Sep 26th 2008, 15:43
@ Every Maltese person on this board.
Have you noticed how hypocritical these Europeans are, not only on this board but even when they spoke to our government yesterday. No credibility and very sad.
Samantha Lewis
Sep 26th 2008, 15:37
Some of the comments replying to my first one clearly confirm the racist streak in Malta.
I had no doubt about it; it’s only a confirmation.
It’s also a confirmation that it’s a question of colour. The prejudice against Eastern European immigrants in Malta is nowhere near that shown against African immigrants. You don’t get any of these comments about the thousands of Eastern Europeans in Malta. But as soon as a boatload of Africans comes in, all hell breaks loose.
I’m not disputing the existence of the prejudice against African immigrants – one can see it in all these comments. My point was that the last politician I ever expected to jump on this prejudiced bandwagon was Dr Joseph Muscat.
As someone else wrote down here, if Dr Muscat wanted to pose as a ‘progressive’ politician, yesterday’s press release definitely blew his cover.
As I do not understand Maltese, I had a friend translating it from the MLP’s own website and I was shocked not just at its wording but even more at the fact that it was coming from Dr Muscat.
If yesterday’s release from Dr Muscat is ‘progressive’ politics, then we’re reading 'progressive' off very different dictionaries.
Denis Catania
Sep 26th 2008, 15:29
@Ewout Wierda: Many dozens, Each EU country has to help us with many hundreds, not many dozens.
This is a joke and the Maltese are being fooled again. A NO vote would get us what we need. If by Dec 1st 2008, we don't see planes full of illegals leaving the Island. I will have to expose the small mind our government has, including Minister Bonnici and the racism that exists in the other 26 EU countries. Where are the do-gooders? See no body else wants them. When are you people going to call the the northern states racists. Or are you afraid of them, like our government is. It's not the Maltese that are racists, it's the other 26EU countries that have the room and resources to keep these people. That can't guarantee they will help the illegals or help us. Shame on the do-gooders and the government. I'm ashamed to say I'm a PN supporter. I'll keep fighting this until the Maltese win, because I might be ashamed to be a PN supporter, but I'll never be ashamed to be Maltese.
malcolm seychell
Sep 26th 2008, 15:21
@Harry Vassallo. If this is the x leader of AD, i congratulate him, that finally he is seeing the dark side of illegal immigration.
We all remember his pro immigrants stand, and how he asked for arrests for those who dared speak about this problem.
It's never too late to change opinion.
Our only problem is Mifsud Bonnici and co who have the power and will sign this pact, which means a national disaster.
Again I state that if Joseph wants to show that he is a true leader he should get the people in the streets for the biggest protest ever held in Malta. The protest should be directed to Mifsud Bonnici and the PN, and not the immigrants. The PN is going to sign our death as a nation.
'Hu l ipokrezija marru jiccelebraw l indipendenza l gimgha l-ohra'
David Carabott
Sep 26th 2008, 15:17
"Malta Gets Its Way": Ha,ha, ha! How many volunteers will come forward to help Malta? Another question: if the "entitlement" originating under this Pact to Malta is on a voluntary basis, the obligations, (such as more rights to illegal immigrants) are they voluntary also? Or is it a case that what we allow them to shove on us is binding but what applies to them (burden sharing) is voluntary?
louise vella
Sep 26th 2008, 15:16
1. Frontex – “more a pull factor than a deterrent”.
2. Voluntary repatriation – a handful of illegal immigrants volunteer to return to their country (against payment).
3. Voluntary burden-sharing mechanism - a few countries may perhaps (but only perhaps) some time in the future (we know not when) take a handful of our unwanted refugees. But we do not know how many more will come immediately, attracted by the prospect of going to richer EU countries.
In the meantime illegal immigrants continue coming in their thousands.
Is it not time Dr Gonzi took some real decisions having real effects instead of preaching to us about Christian values? One good decision would be to put a strong minister in charge of illegal immigrants.
eric saliba
Sep 26th 2008, 15:15
@ edmond dimech. when you take off your political blue blinkers will you pls let us know how you interpret this useless piece of paper that leaves everything as is.
reminds me of when the british pm signed the 'peace in our time' agreement with hitler.
a few weeks later world war 2 started.
how pathetic. do RCC and CMB think we are complete idiots???
Alexander Morana
Sep 26th 2008, 15:12
@Miss Lewis, you are right that the Maltese have never been in contact with such a large number of people of different colour. That's the whole problem with the issue. People of colour started coming to Malta illegally, since we joined the EU and we weren’t prepared for them resourcefully or culturally. We never had this problem before, irrespective of being an insular society. However all through the years we had stability in our country thank very much.
What we want to prevent is the disastrous melees of other countries which experimented with a multi-racial society ending up with ghettos and racial unrest. I don't have the space because the list is long, and please don't kid yourself we are not racists. If you don’t like it don’t come here.
isobel mcgonigle
Sep 26th 2008, 15:11
Urgent order from U.K
Malta could you please despatch as soon as posible two dozen illegals
We have a shortage of them in Britain and would welcome a few more.
Will they be coming flat packed or ready assembled?
philip micallef
Sep 26th 2008, 15:11
Lets just hope that the optimism expressed by the Minister will bear fruit. So far we have only had expressions of solidarity, and do this, and do that, by the World Organisations. Actions are supposed to speak louder than words. Am afraid in the case of illegal immigration, the contrary has been the case all along. The whole concept of burden-sharing on a voluntary basis, does ring alarm bells.
louise vella
Sep 26th 2008, 15:00
1. “Malta had been insisting on the need to include a commitment towards burden sharing”.
There is no commitment in the adopted Immigration Pact.
2. "We have managed to reach our target," an upbeat Dr Mifsud Bonnici told The Times … We were already very positive that the French presidency was pushing forward this new migration pact …”
How many refugees/ asylum seekers/ illegal immigrants will France take from Malta and when?
3. “The Commission, in consultation with the UNHCR where appropriate ...”
Is Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici satisfied that UNHCR’s treatment of Malta in the past is a sufficient guarantee for the future?
4. “… the pact on its own does not mean that a solution will be found tomorrow.”
When will a solution be found then? In 20 years time when we have been submerged by illegal immigrants?
5. “Obviously, we will now continue to exert pressure…”
Is Mifsud Bonnici the right person to exert pressure?
6. “We can't impose on sovereign member states what to do and whom to take”.
Malta is a sovereign state and thousands of illegal immigrants have been imposed upon us, with the full acquiescence of Gonzi’s government.
Michael Gatt
Sep 26th 2008, 14:54
Malta gets its way.
If this is true we really do not know what Malta needs to accept such a poor result from Europe.
I just heared that the volontiers already started queing and fighting between them about who is going to be first.
Mary Mills
Sep 26th 2008, 14:40
Malta has now been caught in the backwash of massive illegal immigration into the EU, especially, to countries bordering the Mediterranean. Many of the migrants have, of course, also, been wending their way further up north.It's gone on for decades. The schools, the public hospitals' A&E's, whatever available accommodation existed... all stretched. Strained. And, incidentally, only ordinary people who couldn't afford private health care, send their children to private schools, live behind high hedges, big verandas,they've been feeling it most.
So, now with this new (wonder of wonders!) idea of volontary burden sharing, how about asking Sweden, perhaps? Or Finland? Why not? Or indeed so called safe third countries with plenty of space... persuade Australia and one or two other countries, maybe? Some Maltese settled migrants in such countries might be far more interested, willing, of assistence in the deal than .... well, EU bureaucrats, with an eye, almost invariably, on their careers and perks. But whatever you do, don't ask Britain because as someone recently remarked: "We can't take any more. The bus is full!"
Raymond Sammut
Sep 26th 2008, 14:00
@ Samantha Lewis
You are terribly mistaken, if not impertinent. Wide ranging sentiments have been expressed over the past several months on these comment boards in regard to human traffickers and illegal immigrants who collaborate with them. These sentiments have been anything but "prejudiced" as you claim.
You have lived on and off in Malta for a few years, you say. May I remind you that the same Maltese people whom you are accusing of a "racist streak" have lived on Malta over many generations going back more than two thousand years. Over these many centuries we have come into contact with coloured people more than you can possibly imagine.
These are genuine concerns expressed by Maltese people justifiably worried about their small homeland with very limited resources. The illegal immigrants whom you identify as "coloured" have left behind them large countries with untold riches. The Maltese people have every right to ask them to return to their homelands and to make the best of their own resources. Malta cannot afford to continue to shoulder such a heavy burden, let alone be insulted or intimidated on top of everything.
Edmond Dimech
Sep 26th 2008, 13:59
Politics in Malta is really funny.
Joseph Muscat was against the EU, now he's in favour.
He goes to the European Parliament and votes in favour of giving immigrants the right to vote.
The day he resigns from MEP, he forgets his own vote there and comes out with a release that stokes the already high prejudice and negativity there is in Malta against immigrants.
And he says he's 'progressive'!
"The more they change, the more they stay the same".
Tony Cassar
Sep 26th 2008, 13:54
In view of all this pessimism, it's probably it's worth noting that there are already three EU countries that have taken asylum seekers from Malta.
What is stopping them to keep doing that and others to follow suit, now that the EU is supporting this is beyond me...
Michael Gatt
Sep 26th 2008, 13:50
Malta have it its way. Mela le. Time will only tell us how many volontiers will be coming to help us. Come on we are getting to be the loughing stock of Europe
Joanne Micallef
Sep 26th 2008, 13:46
@ Samatha Lewis - We do not want people that come into the country ILLEGALLY to stay here, why shouldn't the law be equal for everybody. Poverty is found worldwide, so it is not a valid excuse.
What I would like to know is, why is it that when a person that does not come from Africa is caught without the necessary documentation in any country not just Malta he is immediately deported, whilst if that person happens to be coming from Africa not only we do not deport him but us locals have to also pay for his upkeep.
So you tell me who is making it a question of race here, us or the African people?
Ewout Wierda
Sep 26th 2008, 13:45
To those commentators who said it will not happen because it has not happened: the Netherlands has already relieved Malta from many dozens of immigrants. So reality is it has already happened and therefore it will likely happen again and more often.
Harry Vassallo
Sep 26th 2008, 13:43
Top billing worst headline ever. The article itself exacerbates the anticlimax. We did not need the EU for voluntary migrant redistribution between Member Sates.
The Pact proposes a structural contradiction The Pact sets out to deal with a variety of issues connected with migration on an EU wide basis but does not address the heart of the matter, migrant mobility within the EU leaving it to Member States on a voluntary basis.
Better a Pact than no pact at all.From Malta\s perspective it is as close to next to nothing as possible. We can only hope that the net result is not ENTRENCHED as does not SET EU POLICY FOR YEARS TO COME
A. Polidano
Sep 26th 2008, 13:41
Do you believe the Casa crap? Labour MEPs voted in favour of letting LEGAL non-EU residents vote in LOCAL COUNCIL elections after five years of residence. Illegal immigrants do not qualify for this! Casa lied.
C FENECH
Sep 26th 2008, 13:38
Well done Malta...we are again rejoicing at having lost the game, but only on a small score !
This pact was a no deal from the beginning. Rejecting the pact would have retained the status quo...accepting the pact will not change things since it is based on voluntary participation by other member states. Frontex was also based on this principle and we are all witness to the achievments, or lack therof.
Changing the Immigration Pact to force other member states to participate is what we needed, but obviously did not get nor will we ever get. For those of us who think that the EU will come to our aid....forget it.... They might give us money (probably same money being deducted from other funds we might have got) ...but the burden is and will remain on us. They want the migrating birds Oh yes! Migrating humans?...No thank you!
And please from all the available titles........very funny indeed !
eric saliba
Sep 26th 2008, 13:37
@ samantha lewis. instead of attacking joseph muscat maybe you'd like to tell us in what manner and when your country of origin is going to help malta out of this muddle.
@ joe vella. i regret to inform you that you were quoting ( correctly) a lie told by david casa. joseph voted for legal and not illegal immigrants to be given the right to vote.
@ jeremy montebello. i am not a racist but i do not want my country becoming another kosovo.
@ m camenzuli. telling us that joseph muscat's stance is wrong is neither here nor there. remember that gonzipn is in power. or are they??
this declaration means nothing. it is a subtle way of shutting us up. all other countries have far bigger problems to worry about illegal immigration in malta.
i thought frontex was going to solve our problem. like hell it did! and surely it wasn'y joseph's fault !
l Galea
Sep 26th 2008, 13:34
@Samantha Lewis
It is not prejudice Samantha, but the fact that we are under a massive invasion as it has aptly been called by our own Prime Minister, by ILLEGAL immigrants who have absolutely NO right to be here.
We have every right to protect OUR country, OUR society and ourselves from this alien invasion Samantha, and we do not want to end up having Brixtons and Parises all over Malta.
This also includes those who came here and overstay their visa, so do not bring colour into the equation Samantha.
It's just too bad if you don't like it.
Andrew Sciberras
Sep 26th 2008, 13:34
What Samantha Lewis has said is somewhat true. While the Maltese people aren't directly harbouring hatred against persons of different colour or religion per se (although some unfortunately do) there is an incessant fear of the loss of nationhood. Nationalist sentiment or pride has reached quasi-extremist proportions (Malta tal-Maltin biss u ta' hadd aktar). Call me a lunatic but I am personally a human being first and a Maltese citizen second (not vice versa). As a human being I feel duty bound to offer aid to persons fleeing their homeland from wide-spread torture and murder.
But I am also a Maltese citizen and an EU citizen. There is no denying that we need help in tackling such a widespread and complex problem. Should Malta and other peripheral states be made to walk down this road alone? Is it racist or rightist to ask for assistance from other EU counterparts? Should the big states on the mainland offer assistance on a voluntary basis? Or should we all be considered as equals, irrespective of geographical position or size?
Human problems require human solutions and not partisan pandering which unfortunately seems to persist here.
H.Scibberras
Sep 26th 2008, 13:31
Ara ahna l Maltin veru nibilghu kollox. Kieku riedu jiehdu l immigranti fuq bazi volontorja setghu jaghmlu dejjem bhal ma kien hemm xi pajjiz gieli ha xi 10 u ma jighdux kemm. U jekk dawn hadd ma jridhom l ewwel nies ahna kif tahsbu li ha jehodom haddiehor
Malcolm Seychell
Sep 26th 2008, 13:26
@ Miss Lewis
We are speaking on illegal immigrants, and not on skin colour.
If you came here legally there is absolutely no problem with the majority of the Maltese people
Miss Lewis to be against illegal immigration is not an issue of left of right wing. Its true that most anti immigrant parties are right wing, but not all of them.
After all you have a right to choose. Yesterday the PN showed to all Malta that his attitude is pro illegal immigration invasion
As I told you earlier if you are legally here then you should vote for someone who accepts only legal immigrants, and not illegal immigrants like the Gonzi adminstration is doing.
Stephen Farrugia
Sep 26th 2008, 13:05
@ Samantha Lewis
Another European that fights to take the immigrants back home...don't make be laugh. All the EU and other preachers have lost credibility.
E. Azzopardi
Sep 26th 2008, 13:03
I am convinced this will not work, but I hope I am wrong. ''Voluntary basis''. The two key words here. And if nobody volunteers or if those who volunteer take half a dozen and say we have done our part? There are no guarantees. There is no committement. So what is this agreement or rather non agreement about? We had the chance to press for committment and we lost it!!! God help us, please.
Noel Attard
Sep 26th 2008, 13:02
"Malta Gets Its Way" my foot. The Times of Malta is trying to bamboozle the Maltese into believing that the Maltese Government obtained a victory over the Rest of Europe. I am not the only one who thinks that we have been had. Just show me one European country that will voluntarily help us by offering to host a good number of our illegal immigrants. Their response would be that they would like to shed most of their immigrants who are causing a headache wherever they are.
I believe that the Maltese Premier should respect the Maltese people's intelligence and stop treating us like a herd of goats. Please bear in mind Dear Mr. Prime Minister that there are intelligent people out there (some are far more intelligent than the bunch that you are surrounded with).
Finally, Mr Prime Minister, I am positive that you will not in the least be perturbed by the fact that you will not lead the country after the next election, but please stop and ponder what eternal harm you are inflicting on this island. We deserve better. I repeat : WE DESERVE BETTER.
debbie bugeja
Sep 26th 2008, 12:58
Malta gets its way" come one who are we kidding.
If other EU members wanted to volonteer in taking illegal immigrants they would have done so. this deal is a farce, they are just trying to take us for a ride, they are absolutely doing nothng to stop this crisis.
Samantha Lewis
Sep 26th 2008, 12:51
A racist streak in the Maltese population is evident, especially for foreigners like me who have lived on and off in Malta for a few years now. It might be because Maltese have never really come into contact with people of colour before the last few years.
The last politician I would have expected to pander to the prejudice felt by many Maltese would have been Dr Joseph Muscat. I thought he had learned something in his last four years in the European Parliament now that he has embraced membership of the EU as a natural progression of politics in Malta.
I feel it is most unfortunate that it is now precisely Dr Joseph Muscat who has not resisted the easy yet ultimately fruitless option of pandering to prejudice and the feeling against immigrants.
Many politicians of the right have gone with the flow of anti-immigrant sentiments, yet few of these politicians are actually anywhere near power. Prejudiced sentiments are a very dangerous bull to ride, and Dr Muscat should take heed.
I hope Malta's Labour Party does not veer even more to the right with an anti-immigrant agenda as it had veered right when it vehemently opposed EU membership.
Tony Borg
Sep 26th 2008, 12:46
@ Joe Vella
What David Casa did not say that Joseph Muscat voted in favour of LEGAL immigrants having the right to vote.
Here we are not talking of LEGAL immigrants but of ILLEGAL or IRREGULAR immigrants.
As we say in Maltese....."nofs verita' hija aghar minn gidba", and "min jibla kollox hu m......."
Peter Camilleri
Sep 26th 2008, 12:27
Please refrain from commenting further on immigration, and anything to do with it. We have been enlightened by DCG that immigration is not an issue any longer. Your comments are proving her wrong. Respect her authority on the matter.
Jeremy Montebello
Sep 26th 2008, 12:20
I have just qualified to vote and I would have voted AD in the last election but I was really warming up to Joseph Muscat as a supposedly progressive politician.
However, after the stance he took yesterday, it is clear that he's no progressive at all.
Rather, he is pandering to the anti-immigrant and prejudiced sentiments many people have in Malta.
The immigration issue is a test for all principled politicians as to whether they truly hold the principles of solidarity and regard for all human beings or whether they join the prejudiced flow.
Joseph Muscat yesterday failed this test miserably.
Keith Caruana
Sep 26th 2008, 12:16
This is a joke. Who the heck would take immigrants Voluntarily when every european country is facing a demographic extermination of its own native population?
I would also like to congratulate Mr. Mifsud Bonnici for making sure that the motivation immigrants have in reaching Europe is not materialised. Now they really have a reason for reaching our islands. The MLPN have been great in attracting non-European Tourist eating away from our taxes. The country now and in the future will hold them accountable.
All the greens and liberals will be glad with such a position and so will be the criminal human trafficers.
You are giving fuel to the fire
John Portelli
Sep 26th 2008, 11:45
Malta didn't get anything. Period. Burden sharing on a voluntary basis will be the same as telling Malta to take a hike. Maltese politicians will once again go begging but will find that the doors are closed. Prove me wrong on this and I wll retrack my comments. Again, the Maltese people are no fools and the politician knows this.
Edwin Formosa
Sep 26th 2008, 11:43
@ Philip Pace -- So you still remember what Eddie Fenech Adami said on the signing of Malta accession to the EU when he brought his mission to an end. And what about what Alfred Sant and Joseph Muscat said in their euphoria against the EU during the referendum campaign ??? Welcome to the circus and see kuntrunbajsi
Joe Vella
Sep 26th 2008, 11:35
I find the following very Interesting;
"Minkejja li issa l-mexxej Laburista Joseph Muscat qed jisħaq li l-Gvern għandu jieħu pożizzjoni iebsa dwar l-immigrazzjoni, fiż-żmien li hu kien Deputat Parlamentari fil-Parlament Ewropew kien ivvota favur mozzjoni biex l-immigranti jkollhom id-dritt tal-vot. Dan kien żvelat mill-Ewro Parlamentari Nazzjonalista David Casa waqt il-programm Newsdesk fuq Radio 101 illejla."
Joseph Muscat have some explaining to do; or is he going to tell us he was wrong like he did in regards to the EU and expect US to forgive him?
M Camenzuli
Sep 26th 2008, 11:34
Joseph Muscat, the supposedly 'moderate' and 'progressive' knows that immigration is not common EU policy
so there's NO WAY any of the 26 other EU states would have accepted
compulsory reallocation.
Muscat knows that NO COUNTRY would ever accept reallocation of ILLEGAL immigrants -
but he says so in his release for consumption in Malta.
He also conveniently forgot to mention the part of the Pact about
the budgetary allocation for this measure.
Can anyone of his apologists here explain what's 'progressive' and 'moderate'
about the stance he took in his press release?
John Portelli
Sep 26th 2008, 11:30
Why send them to other European countries when they have their own country to be sent to too? This is going to make this problem even worse
l Galea
Sep 26th 2008, 11:26
@Mary Pace
Done an excellent job?
At the mercy of our eu counterparts?
Aren't we supposed to be equal in the eu?
Don't we have veto power?
Then why did the government use it?
Shame, shame and shame again.
c.zarb
Sep 26th 2008, 11:11
I'd expect the concept of you breaking into my house as long as I can decide whether you can actually do it or not.
This deal is a big big joke. I mean, we already a situation where any country in the EU could take our immigrants at a voluntary basis and the results of that where pretty low. No wonder why this deal had the backup of all countries in the EU.
Manuel Mifsud
Sep 26th 2008, 11:11
So the MLP wants us to believe that it can force EU member states to accept our illegal immigrants!!! I wonder what the eurosceptics within the MLP have to say about this. They insist that if EU members are forced by other member to do something against their will, they would lose their sovereignty.
Had Malta insisted on such a clause the most probable end result would have been a deadlock in the negotiations with no Migration Pact at all.
Then we would have seen various comments accusing the EU of being inefficient and unable to reach an agreement on such an important issue.
It seems that they are always right whatever the result!
A Anderson
Sep 26th 2008, 11:08
Sorry I do not agree with any of the comments so far.
I think whoever was involved did their best to get this far and they did well.
The comments so far seem to have absolutely no idea what it is like and its fine to just criticize and disagree - but you don't get anywhere with just criticizing.
Who could have done it better? And could they? I am sure who was involved explored all the possibilities.
Once again I feel it all boils down to expired party politics which at the European Level are to say the least, pointless and useless.
Michelle Dali
Sep 26th 2008, 11:07
Malta has not got its way at all. What government in its right mind is going to take Malta's illegal immigrants with the world economy in such turmoil? With the credit crunch hitting hard, people having their homes repossessed every day and unemployment set to rise to two million in the coming months in the UK, for example, how can other EU countries be expected to 'volunteer' to increase their burden to help Malta? As the saying goes, charity begins at home.
The last sentence of this article, though, is encouraging: 'those not qualifying for international protection would be repatriated also through EU funding and assistance.' I believe this is the only hope for Malta now. We must get some concrete information from the government about mass repatriation schemes for illegal immigrants who do not qualify for refugee status. Otherwise, Malta will become a free for all. Also, Frontex must PROTECT our borders by turning away boatloads of illegal immigrants after giving them food, water and fuel. If Malta's detention centres are full, we must put up a 'closed' sign and let the other EU countries take future arrivals.
E Gatt
Sep 26th 2008, 11:06
Malta should consider following Berlusconi’s government measures.
Italy has criminalised illegal immigration. This means that illegal immigrants are effectively jailed if caught roaming the streets or working without a permit. The Italian army has also been given increased powers to round up the illegal immigrants in large cities.
Once their freedom is curtailed, a large number may find the time to ‘remember’ the name of their country and thereby facilitate their repatriation. These immigrants will also quickly spread the word that landing in Malta is no holiday.
Tony Cassar
Sep 26th 2008, 11:04
I don't know why everyone does not seem to realise that asking for a compulsory scheme to transfer immigrants would have been impossible to achieve. Had Malta pushed for such a provision, the Pact would have never been able to see the light of day and we would have been left in the state that we are at present - fending for ourselves.
This Pact means that the EU is acknowledging the fact that illegal immigration is a problem that should be tackled by the EU as a whole. To me this is a big step forward considering that the EU up till last year would not even having a common policy on immigration.
I am sure that the two Muscats (Josie and Joey) would have have been able to coerce all other 26 states into signing the pact on their own terms. You know... with all the clout they carry...
R.Gauci
Sep 26th 2008, 11:03
Is the above photo suggesting the artwork for the new look of the AFM/Frontex patrol boats after this pact? Well done & keep it up!!
MG Buttigieg
Sep 26th 2008, 10:58
The most important challenge for Malta was to get all the 27 member states of the Union to accept the burden sharing concept. This has been achieved. Now the real work will start for the Maltese government. The Minister has now to identify those member states who due to a variety of reasons be they historical or otherwise, appreciate Malta`s position and are willing to help . Remember how the good work of the present American ambassador has resulted in the US accepting a number of these displaced persons. It is with these member states that Malta will now have to bring to fruition this acceptance of the concept of burden sharing by the EU. So please before throwing out the baby out with the water let us wait and see what happens.
Philip pace
Sep 26th 2008, 10:57
Welcome to the circus,
I am not really sure re the title of this article.
It might be true or a spin.
The title is a bit on the sensational side as how it normally is.
I can't really say that the deal is a good or bad until one person would have the whole document in his hand.
With that article the people are not wiser to see what shall happen.
However the Maltese should realise that Malta is a top target for immigrants. We cannot really rely on Christian charity as I can assure you that the more immigrants come to Malta, a good percentage of them would settle here and start an inter racial family.
This would mean that in future the Maltese would be changing in their characteristics thus we would be having a multi racial society in a small area of 17 miles by 9 miles. Astounding no?
Can any EU bright spark envision that?
What EFA said on the signing on Malta accession to the EU was simply euphoria as he simply brought his mission to an end.
Multi racial bananas.
martin portelli
Sep 26th 2008, 10:57
Oh please, have the decency to be honest about this, it's French national interest that got its way and not unassertive Malta.
We need to have a national policy on how to handle this situation with all its implications. Public confidence is not reassured. I suggest politicians swallow their partisan pride and if there truly is the shadow of statesmanship in any of them,start work towards a creative solution. I propose a national body to deal with the problem perhaps we can start asking the right questions to think of the right solutions. Screaming each other down will garner Malta no points.
Mary Pace
Sep 26th 2008, 10:54
Dr. Mifsud Bonnici has done an excellent job but regrettably we still seem to be at the mercy of our EU counterparts. We have simply brushed the problem not solved it.
The problem would be solved by refusing to assist these illegal immigrants and disallowing them entry into EU territory irrespective of any UNHCR compromise. These are methods employed by more democratic countries like Australia or the US. Australia insists on an outriht refusal and and illegal immigration is not treated with complacency but with a heavy hand.
Other EU countries are turning their heads at the problem and the volontary pact is not a strong enough clause. Frontex has proved useless and our MEP have only shown that they are pawns in the mighty EU chessgame.
Our situation has reached critical levels and the Maltese Government must, in the interest of this once free nation, call a state of emergency considering the fact that the illegal immigrants have outnumbered our military.
Chris Ebejer
Sep 26th 2008, 10:38
If the Frontex patrols have resulted to increase illegals in numbers and as stated by the chief Frontex patrols Illika Laitinen that Frontes have failed in the central Mediterranean, he continues that these operations are indeed a pull factor for other immigrants to try crossing
Just imagine what Burden Sharing would have done!
This is more tragic for us since illegals will cross more in numbers whn they hear that Europe will finally might take them. But Ooops the bingo game can only give you a price is on Voluntary basis! So the answer in result will be: more & more illegal coming to Malta tempting to play the game when no country then is obliged to take them !
The only solution that remains in our hands is,I do suggest to start organizing pilgrimages to Girgenti of perhaps Borg in-Nadur forsi Holy Mary tismana !
Joanne Micallef
Sep 26th 2008, 10:36
I honestly don’t know how anyone with some common sense can deem this pact as a success. This because it is no secret that only a tiny minority that pose no threat what so ever to our resources are genuine refugees, Malta's huge problem are the illegal/economic migrants, that we have to lump even though they have absolutely no right to be here.
I sincerely fear that this pact will only serve as an even stronger pull factor for the illegal immigrants to make it to our shores, with the hope of successfully conning the system and getting away with a refugee status, which in turn would mean a chance to make it safely into mainland Europe.
James Dimech
Sep 26th 2008, 10:36
This one small step, abeit in the right direction. Does anyone think that any Member State would have signed up to a COMPULSORY system ? Does anyone think that we can blackmail the EU until we really get our way, without any consequences ? Mintoff used to do these kinds of things, when our country a civilised world reject.
Obviously the persons writing on this forum have no experience in poltics
A Daley
Sep 26th 2008, 10:27
This reminds one of what EFA said before signing the Accession Treaty, when he said, we have secured and negotiated an agreement, that protects our moral values including a NO Divorce laws and also protects our Industry including our Dockyard.
Some swallowed the bait and are now reaping the benefits of Lies and Deceit.
Where are the numbers in this agreement?
Which countries will take part?
How much is the "financial help"?
When and how will this "Malta gets its way" begin to take shape?
For goodness sake, why doesn’t the Government focus on the economic disaster that is looming at our shores?
Patrick Farrugia
Sep 26th 2008, 10:12
I think the author of this article mistyped the title...... it should read "THE EU GETS ITS WAY", not "MALTA GETS ITS WAY".
That's what this country's getting for re- electing a party that has 20- year old roots in government. And this is just the cherry on the cake. WELL DONE MALTA!!!!!
Michael Cutajar
Sep 26th 2008, 10:09
Not sure how much more of this I can listen to . I wrote this comment under another heading but somehow its not there anymore. So here we go again...
The agreement would have been sound if it was on obligatory and not voluntary basis.This morning I heard a foreign affairs ministry employee off-the-record saying that the deal was a flaw and a complete disaster. And he is absolutely right. This is what I managed to glean from what I heard...Government was instructed to go hard in the negotiations or else go home. and indeed Government failed. Now the Gonzi devotees from the bunker were instructed to shoot down Joseph Muscat`s message and promote this deal as an achievement for our country.
My advice to Government is this: try switching on your brains and thinking strategically about the future of the country before initiating these sort of publicity stunts
D. Borg
Sep 26th 2008, 09:53
On a voluntary basis! I heard EU countries are already queueing to take them. As if anybody wants them. Karm Mifsud Bonnici should resign for handling this situation so badly. I hope people will remember all this in the next MEP elections!!! How come we have to except them whether we like it or not and others on a voluntary basis! Aren't we supposed to be all equal in the EU?
A. Camilleri
Sep 26th 2008, 09:49
'Malta gets its way'??? Are you kidding? You are letting down the readers of this paper
Abel Abela
Sep 26th 2008, 09:48
Good thing there are the European Parliament elections next year.
There's ample time from now until 5 June 2009 for all Maltese citizens to see with their own eyes what this European 'burden sharing mechanism' is all about.
Malcolm Seychell
Sep 26th 2008, 09:39
If this is what Mifsud Bonnici wanted for Malta then he should simply resign.
He betrayed the country.
There is nothing written, that illegal immigrants will move to other EU countries.
Shame on you. I sincerely hope that in the MEP elections the PN will learn a very good lesson.
A Polidano
Sep 26th 2008, 09:35
I think that the title for this article is grossly misleading. If Malta had to get its way then the world 'voluntary' should have been ommited. But then somebody has to stick up for the government. It is very sad that he does it under the cover of the Times of Malta newspaper.
Joseph R Aquilina
Sep 26th 2008, 09:30
Forget the political party lines, hassles and hype. Let us go to the bottom line. On the 1st of April, 209 we will meet again on this page to review how many migrants will have been transferred to other EU countries w. e. f . today