Wednesday, 1st October 2008 - 09:37CET
Mifsud Bonnici explains Immigration Pact benefits for Malta
Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici is insisting that contrary to popular perception, Malta has achieved a lot through the EU Immigration and Asylum Pact.
In an interview with Rosanne Zammit, he stressed that what would be voluntary in the burden-sharing mechanism would be the member states' choice of migrants to take from Malta. And they would not be taking just migrants granted refugee status, but also those granted humanitarian protection. (See minister's comments on video above)
The pact also covers action for the repatriation of illegal immigrants.
The following are some of the initiatives in the Immigration Pact which are of particular relevance to Malta:
“The European Council calls on Member States to implement an immigration policy that is both managed, particularly with respect to all labour market needs, and concerted, given the impact it may have on other Member States. The European Council stresses the importance of adopting a policy that enables fair treatment of migrants and their harmonious integration into the societies of their host countries.”
“…reaffirms that illegal immigrants on Member States' territory must leave that territory. Each Member State undertakes to ensure that this principle is effectively applied with due regard for the law and for the dignity of the persons involved, giving preference to voluntary return, and each Member State shall recognise the return decisions taken by another Member State;”
“…to conclude readmission agreements at EU or bilateral level with those countries with which this is necessary, so that each Member State has the legal instruments to ensure that illegal immigrants are expelled;”
“…to develop cooperation between Member States, using, on a voluntary basis and where necessary, common arrangements to ensure the expulsion of illegal immigrants (biometric identification of illegal entrants, joint flights, etc.);”
“…to step up cooperation with the countries of origin and of transit, under the Global Approach to Migration, in order to control illegal immigration, in particular to follow with them an ambitious policy on police and judicial cooperation to combat international criminal organisations engaged in trafficking migrants and in human trafficking, and to provide better information to communities under threat so as to avoid the tragedies that can occur, particularly at sea;"
invites “…Member States, specifically with the support of Community instruments, to devise incentive systems to assist voluntary return and to keep each other informed on this point in order to prevent the fraudulent return to the European Union of those who receive such aid;”
invites “…Member States to take rigorous action, also in the interest of the immigrants, by way of dissuasive and proportionate penalties against those who exploit illegal immigrants (employers, etc.);”
“…generalise the issue of biometric visas as from 1 January 2012 at the latest, as a result of the Visa Information System (VIS), immediately improve cooperation between Member States' consulates, pool resources as far as possible and gradually set up, on a voluntary basis, joint consular services for visas.”
“In the light of the results of an evaluation of the (Frontex) agency, its role and operational resources will be strengthened and a decision may be taken to create specialised offices to take account of the diversity of situations, particularly for the land border to the East and the sea border to the South: creating such offices should on no account undermine the unity of the Frontex agency. Ultimately, the possibility of setting up a European system of border guards may be examined.”
“…intensify cooperation with the countries of origin and of transit in order to strengthen control of the external border and to combat illegal immigration by increasing the European Union's aid for the training and equipping of those countries' staff responsible for managing migration flows.”
“…establish in 2009 a European support office with the task of facilitating the exchange of information, analyses and experience among Member States, and developing practical cooperation between the administrations in charge of examining asylum applications. That office will not have the power to examine applications or to take decisions but will use the shared knowledge of countries of origin to help to bring national practices, procedures, and consequently decisions, into line with one another;”
“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 coordinated basis, better reallocation of beneficiaries of international protection from such Member States to others, while ensuring that asylum systems are not abused. In accordance with those principles, the Commission, in consultation with the UNHCR where appropriate, will facilitate such voluntary and coordinated reallocation. Specific funding under existing EU financial instruments should be provided for this reallocation, in accordance with budgetary procedures.”
“…pursue policies of cooperation with the countries of origin and of transit in order to deter or prevent illegal immigration, in particular by capacity-building in those countries;”
“…integrate migration and development policies more effectively by examining how such policies may benefit the regions of origin of immigration, in coherence with other aspects of development policy and the Millennium Development Goals.”
“…promote co-development actions that enable migrants to take part in the development of their home countries. The European Council recommends that Member States support the adoption of specific financial instruments for transferring migrants' remittances securely and more cheaply to their countries for the purposes of investment and welfare insurance.”
RSS
Comments
Nobody is contesting the fact that Dr.Mifsud Bonnici "is a democratically elected Minister" and that is the reason why the majority of the Maltese are appealing to him to thread slowly, as the matter at stake, is one of utmost urgency which carries grave responsibility. Majority means MLP + PN etc.
For me the Minister showed a weakness when he contradicted the voluntary admission of failure by the FRONTEX chief. In fact it was a failure for all to see, and probably it would be better if we do without it. Unfortunately this fact makes the Minister less credible when he assures us of the benefits of this Pact, and you know, credibility is everything.
Also it is unethical to accuse the people of "grumbling" on this matter which is causing concern, frustration and worries. Just as you are allowed to have your say, so do the majority of the Maltese people.
You also state that Malta MUST BUY this Pact which means we have no alternative as if beggars cannot be choosers. This is wrong reasoning. However May God proves me and everyone wrong and that you are right . That would be fine and Malta will survive.
Can any one of you name me one Country in the world that accepts immigrants on a mandatory/compulsorybasis?
Do not look far. Its Malta. But it should not remain so.
It will only solve the eu problemsif the rest of the eu member countries take all the ILLEGAL immigrants, something which they do not want to do because of the great problems this will cause to them.
You can continue to preach as much as you like, but you cannot make good what is wrong.
Yes Mr Mercieca, the burden sharing pact is simply a sick joke to the detriment of Malta and the Maltese population.
Prosit minister, a very good step in the right direction indeed.
I can only say few things:
This pact will certainly safeguard Malta’s interests.
This is a very responsible pact that goes in harmony with EU laws while keeping up with the dignity of the victims.
This pact would solve the ageing EU population deficits.
@ Edwin Formosa
Rest assures, many, if not all, have understood the interview. But we always need something to grumble about.
@ Guze Xerri
You see, what I have been selling and ‘many didn’t like it ‘ is actually what MALTA MUST buy
That is why you have to stop them before entering Malta. Who needs Europe then? Ship them out of Libya or stop them at sea.
Some don't want to do this because of the funds they pocket from the EU. End of story.
They can fool the social minded people but not the Right.
Thirdly, the word volontary is taken out of context and being wrongly misinterpreted.
Finally, I have a question for you all.
Can any one of you name me one Country in the world that accepts immigrants on a mandatory/compulsorybasis?
Well, when all is said and all is done, the only things that matters is to wait and see what we Maltese shall reap from this pact. As one commentator mentioned earlier, the proof is in the pudding!
In my opinion one thing is for sure... Expect more illegal migration next season
What is of most concern is the fact that the other EU countries will be able to pick and choose which illegal immigrants they want to take, IF they decide to take any. It is a very big IF because I don't believe any of them will 'volunteer' in this 'compulsory' burden sharing!?!
You only have to look at the global situation, the world is in the midst of a financial crisis - it dominates the news daily. In the UK, for example, ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet, houses are being repossessed every day and the unemployment figure is set to go up to 2,000,000 by the end of next year. Let's be realistic, what government is going to increase its country's problems to help Malta?
The government should call a referendum on this one before signing a pact which could mean the end of Malta as we know it. At least give the people of Malta the chance to have their say in such a crutial matter!
WE are being taken for a RIDE again Ha Ha, Voluntary My Foot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But regardless of that, most contributors here keep harping on about wanting burden sharing to be compulsory... as if Josie Muscat, Joseph Muscat , Norman Lowell or and Arnold Cassola can shove such a clause down any sovereign state's throat.
What happens if no EU country wants to take any immigrant, on the basis that none meets the requirements of that particular country?
We cannot force them to take any, as the clause is on "Voluntary" basis. So, we are left with these immigrants(those not accepted by EU countries) on our shores and we are stuck with them until we manage to repatriate them!
Come on, how can we repatriate them, when after all these years we have only managed to repatriate a handful ! ! !
The end of the story is that we have to build more detention centres and let them mingle with our communities, with all the risks that entail !
Malta has become a big puller of African Illegal Migrants, and unfortunately, after this new agreement, We have advertised ourselves for these Africans to come to Malta, because somehow their aspirations can be attained, thanks to MALTA !
Malta theMAGNET of the Mediterranean.
Quo Vadis Malta ?
.
Historically, the EU has failed us immensely, especially so in immigration.
The head of Frontex admitted the institution´s failure in Malta.
The minister surely is not expecting us to believe him. He first declared that Frontex had brought many benefits the day after its boss declared the Malta mission as a disaster; all it got us was a record surge of illegals. Now the minister is insisting that the voluntary burden sharing is compulsory, and that only the choice of the illegals that the other EU countries resettle in their territory is voluntary. There are too many contradictions.
These illegals should be sent back to wherever they came from upon entering Maltese territory. If they do not co-operate or forget their country origin, they should be locked up until they co-operate and recuperate their memory. For goodness´ sake, no benefits whatsoever or rewards for coming here illegally, let alone 5000€ on leaving Malta. Dear minister, it´s our money, not theirs, nor yours to give away so wastefully. Deliver or resign.
Dear Minister, the word voluntary in the dictionary reads " actions or activities done because someone chooses to do them and not because they have been forced to do them". So whatever your interpretation or better still, wishful thinking may be, it's what written down that counts and no amount of goodwill in the world will substitute that.
with CMB's logic you are in good hands.
the EU member states will only voluntary take skilled illegal immigrants.
guess how many of them are skilled?
so Malta is stuck with them and the other multitudes that have not arrived on our island yet.
This video is an insult to our intelligence.
We have just become the EU's largest official human recyling site on the principle of 'take what you can use and leave the rest' .
God help us and our little Island!
So I suggest to one and all to give time to time and the benefit of the doubt to the Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici and we shall revisit the situation every now and again, hoping that all this will not be another Frontex which failed miserably.
From what Minister Mifsud Bonnici said during the interview with Rosanne Zammit, he seems to be more than simply convinced that the pact should solve, if not all, problems concerning refugees, immigrants under humanitarian protection and most important of all, the repatriation of illegal immigrants, which is the largest problem that Malta has.
This Pact sets the policy... it gives a direction... it says WHAT THE WILL OF THE EU IS, NOT HOW TO ACHIEVE IT.
The HOW part falls under the comepetence of the Commission, which is where this Pact will go once it is signed at the European Council in a fortnight's time.
Those that are against the Pact are against the EU doing anything at all to address this situation.
Come on, stop insulting our intelligence. Time will tell who was right on this one, personally for the sake of this Nation I would really like to be proven wrong. If not though after all the euphoria shown regarding this pact I would expect for the Minister to resign.
Indeed a weak government.
who is going to do this when the EU had all the time in the world to do this but remained passive. Again this part of the Pact is not effective.
POINT3
This Pact invites"systems to assist voluntary return" but please forget it as it does'nt work.
POINT4
The Pact invites "Member States to take rigorous action against those who exploit illegal immigrants". Agreed, but this was already in existence and if it was not followed up, it is only the fault of the administration. Let us hope that this part would be effective.
POINT5
REfers to "biometric visas as from 2012". But do you realize that in 3 years time this would be too late for Malta as by that time we would be inundated to extremes by these "non Europeans" illegal immigrants?
POINT6
Refers to the Frontex Agency. But we have no faith in this agency whose chief voluntarily declared failure and whose only service provided was to bring more immigrants to Malta. Please not Frontex again. This part of the Pact is not effective.
POINT7
Most important. Refers to that part which "will facilitate such voluntary and coordinated reallocation of illegal immigrants. (continued)
Until such time as there is an attraction for Africans to migrate to Europe, this problem will not go away. This voluntary relocation affair is hypocritical. The fact is that no EU country wants African immigrants. It has been proven that they have a problem integrating and invariably end up living in ghettos while dabbling in criminal activities not necessarily always through choice, but sometimes through circumstances.
What is going to happen, is that, 3 or 4 years down the line and 10,000 to 15,000 illegal immigrants later, society as we know it in Malta will have disappeared. It will be too late to turn back and the E.U.'s plans for Malta achieved.
Ex-E.U. commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security (sic), Franco Frattini was very candid about this.
I like that Eurospeak. Justice, Freedom and Security. What deceit!
Yes you did. Now, cut the fairy tails short and Veto that agreement. Use that veto because that agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.
"I hope the minister is not simply reinterpreting the text to suit his needs" Bingo C Cassar.
In the interview he said:"ser ikollok mekkanizmu li jesigi li dan isir". He is interpreting the words AIM to PROMOTE from the pact's text: "solidarity shall also AIM to PROMOTE, on a VOLUNTARY and coordinated basis, better reallocation of beneficiaries of international protection from such Member States to others".
So the result would be that the EU will promote burden sharing but since it is voluntary no one will listen to the 'advertising'.
So I take it that they are volunteering to choose the skilled workers or rather have the first pick of who to take (if anybody) and leave the rest in Malta.
Those who do not qualify for a refugee status would remain in Malta till they decide to tell us their country of origin.
Hon. Bonnici you and gonzipn have just converted Malta into a detention centre island for the e.u.
Ghaxaqtuwa!!! Just wait till next season.
Enoch Powell was right!!
If not, at least, the Minister should have negotiated an opt-out clause in signing the agreement taking account of Malta's special circumstances such as minute geographical area + sky high population density + inadequate resources.
We have thrown our support behide the government for 20 years, but now they are showing us, how elitist they are and have no respect for Maltese,Nationalists and least of all ,our country.
This time, they have to back down because it is a serious matter of survival.
POINT 1
"reaffirms that illegal immigrants on Member States territory must leave that territory." Reason tells me that if these immigrants are Europeans this would be easy as it is covered by the Pact, but we very well know that our illegal immigrants are of African nationality. So how are we going to make them leave? This para. states by "giving preference to voluntary return". Minister we have tried this and we had 5 voluntary returns and this against payment. Sorry this part of the Pact is not effective.
POINT2
"to step up cooperation with the countries of origin and of transit" We know that countries of origin are primarily Libya, Somalia etc.So who is going to step this cooperation when we know that Gaddafi has taken for a ride big heads such as Berlusconi, Sarkosy and our President, and we still think and hope that he would cooperate? Also who is going to create this "ambitious policy on police and judicial cooperation to combat international criminal organisations engaged in trafficking migrants and in human tafficking". Who is going to do this (continued)
Világgazdaság - Hungary | Tuesday, September 30, 2008
EU immigration pact just clever marketing?
Világgazdaság business newspaper reflects on the immigration policy package launched by the French EU Council presidency:
"The 'immigration pact' was ... a flagship of the ... EU Council presidency. ... [It] consists ... of five major sub-areas: the curbing of illegal immigration, the employment of legal immigrants, cooperation with the countries of origin, the harmonisation of refugee policy and the intensification of surveillance on the EU's outer borders. Paris has neither presented new regulations nor promoted the setting up of a ... border patrol. Nor has it made any arrangements for setting up financial aid for the countries where the immigrants come from. France has simply tied up several already existing projects into one package: ... At the same time one should note that the 'success of the French EU council presidency' is based on clever marketing rather than the result of genuine effort."
What improvement???Its just a start..... we don't want a start, all we want is the end, the end to all this influx .And indeed its not a solution....... so why accept it?? We need solutions , real solutions ,so yes shoot the pact before its implemented.
With all respect to the Minister, the majority of the Maltese are not taking the bait. It is as usual all rhetoric with the political lingo twist.
I am looking forward to see how this shall work, maybe I shall be amazed!!!!
Probably as you are a young inexperienced Minister you have committed yourself a big blunder as you should have gone public the minute you came from abroad and EXPLAINED thoroughly what EXACTLY Malta acheived.
In clear words. You lost valuable time as it took you a lot of time of trying to come clean about it. But unfortunately for you and your Government you are losing all credibility.
Something is telling me that the Government cannot last the whole legislature as I see a lot of angry people not happy and satisfied with this inadequate performance. It leaves much to be desired
The Government house is in chaos as there are many problems that have not been solved properly in the past twenty years and too many unattainable pre election promises that can't be honoured.
THE PEOPLE SHALL DECIDE
If I’m not mistaken the pact would tie us up for a 10 year period. Thus if we accept a vague pact full of loop holes and a lot of ifs, we will not be in a position to do anything about it for that period.
Please do not mention the fact that we can ignore the pact if irregularities will be at hand since otherwise we could use the same attitude with the present pacts signed in the 50s etc.
It would be a miracle if Malta survives this huge political mistake, a true miracle.
There is nothing forcing other EU states to absorb immigrants proportionately to their size and nothing to curb concretely the outflow from Libya
This is basically beating around the bush to confirm the status quo
Either the ministers assumes that the maltese do not know how to read or otherwise he is in deep delusion with himself
until the the proof of the pudding..................................
What worries us now, is our security. This is a very high risk situation. What you asked for is wrong, the solution is wrong and nothing is realistic.
Like Frontex, it will bring in more immigrants. I don't think you want to go down in Maltese history as the man who lost the country?
If the UNHCR or anyone is threating our country, don't worry, we will stand by you (so is the MLP leader)but be strong and say 'no, this is really not enough, you got us in this national crisis, you get us out,NOW'. Then use the damm Veto.
Nationalist from the majority wing against immigration.
It calls for more efforts for forced and voluntary repatriation.
It calls for pacts with countries of transit and origin for them to take back their citizens
There is even a proposal to turn Frontex into a sort of border police as Sandro Pace suggested.
Unfortunately it seems eveident that the politicising of this matter has narrowed the discussion to just burden sharing. But from this it is pretty evident that the pact deals with the problem of illegal immigration pretty holistically.
His interview is total hog wash.The more he perseveres in defending a very weak government the more he opens new pitfalls.The credibility of the present adminstration is well below freezing point.
Please stop hurting our intelligence.
The treaty text as quoted later on is far more tentative: "solidarity shall also AIM to PROMOTE, on a VOLUNTARY and coordinated basis, better reallocation of beneficiaries of international protection from such Member States to others". I hope the minister is not simply reinterpreting the text to suit his needs. Honesty in politics should not be a matter of convenience.
One tangible measurement is the amount of open or closed centres. More of these then there is now means a failure, or to put it in another way according to the agreement, the 'Member States' does not require the type of immigrants Malta can 'offer'.
Stands to reason.
The text fall very short of recognising Malta's problems and rights, and have many escape paths. There is inequality in the threat posed by immigration to member states. I think Malta should have insisted more on boarder controls, and how to operationally prevent the influx in the first place.
Now if the EU starts joint flights to Somalia, that is a start. Dream on. Stop taking us for a ride.