The Immigration and Asylum Pact due to be signed by EU leaders this week will put uncooperative member states in an awkward position, Acting Prime Minister Tonio Borg said yesterday.

Speaking at a party activity in Msida, Dr Borg said the pact meant that Malta will no longer be alone knocking on doors asking member states to share its burden. Moreover, Malta would also have the European Commission assisting it in applying pressure on member states to take up the voluntary scheme.

Dr Borg said the pact was "a good one" because it dealt not only with the integration of refugees and immigrants in member states but also with the prevention of immigration and how Europe can unite in sending back those who had no right to remain in the EU.

The pact also dealt with increased funding for EU countries to better patrol their borders.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco said the rising price of oil would be affecting Malta quite negatively.

It is estimated that airlines could cut the number of seats to Malta by up to 30,000 in the near future.

The aspect of the international recession, he said, was also considerably worrying as it was impacting countries that were the primary markets for Maltese tourism.

The government, along with the Malta Tourism Authority, would be focusing on opening new routes to Malta, keeping in mind which flights were viable in terms of distance.

He explained that over €180 million in EU funds will be invested into bolstering tourism projects and €10 million would be allocated to assisting private industry with sustainable tourism initiatives.

Also, he added, a fund of over €40 million will be used to develop innovation in tourism.