Sheer folly not to sign EU migration deal, AD says

Alternattiva Demokratika believes it would be "sheer folly" for the government not to sign the EU new Immigration Pact, even though it felt it was "not enough" in resolving the island's problems.

The Green Party disagreed with the political forces that were insisting Malta should not sign the agreement reached on illegal migration and asylum, as agreed upon by all 27 member states.

AD deputy chairman Stephen Cachia said yesterday the party had urged the government to veto any text if it did not make a specific reference to responsibility sharing and to the restrictive effects of the Dublin regulations.

"As a result of the agreement reached, Malta has attained both the mention of responsibility sharing and the possibility to relocate to other EU countries immigrants with asylum status and special protection," Mr Cachia said.

Arnold Cassola, AD chairman, said this was a first step in the right direction. However, burden sharing should be on a permanent and compulsory basis, not voluntary.

"We recognise that this is the first time the principle of responsibility sharing and of relocation, albeit on a voluntary basis, is part of the EU policy. It would be sheer folly for the government not to sign the agreed compromise text, which is certainly an improvement on the previous situation," Prof. Cassola said.

"Malta must continue in its political work to develop this first result into a compulsory one."