Ivan Camilleri Brussels
Malta to see that migration pact is implemented - PM
Offshore wind farm and eco-measures in Budget 2009
Malta has vowed to push for the implementation of the EU Migration Pact endorsed formally in Brussels yesterday by the 27 leaders of the EU.
"Malta is very satisfied with this pact as for the first time, after four years of perseverance, the whole of the EU is now agreeing on the need for burden sharing in the immigration problem," Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said soon after the end of the two-day summit.
"For us this is not the end of the road but just the beginning. Malta will now see that the political commitment made by member states to help countries in difficulty like Malta will be translated into action."
The pact, considered to be one of the priorities of the six-month French EU Presidency, sets the EU's agenda in the migration and asylum field for the years to come. The summit instructed the European Commission to draw up concrete proposals to implement the new pact.
In their conclusions, EU leaders agreed that the EU should "conduct a fair, effective and consistent policy for dealing with the challenges and opportunities which migration represents.
"The pact will form the basis... of a common immigration and asylum policy, guided by a spirit of solidarity between member states and cooperation with third countries. This common policy must be founded on proper management of migratory flows, in the interests not only of the host countries but also of the countries of origin and of the migrants themselves," the summit agreed.
Referring to the Labour Party and Azzjoni Nazzjonali, which both said that the pact is inadequate, the Prime Minister said: "It is ironic that while all the EU leaders agree that this pact is an effective tool, some in Malta think that it's not. It seems that in our country there is always someone who knows better."
EU leaders yesterday also agreed to push forward with their timetable to agree, by December, climate change measures aimed at achieving a 20 per cent cut in the EU's overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and increase the share of renewable energy by 20 per cent.
According to national targets under discussion, Malta will have to produce 10 per cent of all its energy needs from renewable energy in 12 years' time.
When questioned about Malta's readiness to reach these targets, Dr Gonzi said that arrangements are very advanced and that the government will be announcing the promised offshore wind farm during the presentation of the budget.
The viability of such a project had been called into question by prominent environmentalists. But the Prime Minister insisted: "We have been working intensively on this project for the past months and the plans are now at a very advanced stage. The government should be in a position to announce the building of an offshore wind farm and other initiatives, including substantial incentives to encourage Maltese households to use photovoltaic and other environment-friendly systems to generate energy."
Referring also to the current debate on the planned revisions to the tariffs on utilities, Dr Gonzi said this will be done "with a social conscience".
He said that intensive meetings will be held in the coming days with all those involved to see how to reach an agreement on this issue.
"We always believed in a solution through dialogue and this is what will happen even in this case," he said.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Petrol price up 6c
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
13 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
T Mizzi
Oct 18th 2008, 09:06
Perhaps, Dr.Gonzi could teach us the exact meaning of the word 'voluntary' since it seems that in the prime minister's new personal english dictionary has changed its meaning.
Seriously, I can't imagine how certain EU countries who are legislating new laws to make immigration hard, accept out of their free will, to help other countries, more immigration. A case in point, just today on BBC news website is reported that the UK Immigraton MInister stated that the number of migrants allowed into the UK under the points system may have to be reduced because of the economic crisis. And they would accept small for ours?????
So, I believe that those countries who already helped us of accepting some will still continue to do so, whereas the others will continue to do as they are doing today.
David Seychell
Oct 17th 2008, 19:29
"Dr Gonzi said that arrangements are very advanced and that the government will be announcing the promised offshore wind farm during the presentation of the budget."
I really wish you luck on this project Dr Gonzi. If it will be cost-effective - just like we all hope - it will be a win-win situation both for us and the environment.
Stephen Farrugia
Oct 17th 2008, 17:55
How can I believe anything, when the price of oil is down and my bill is still at its highest?
l Galea
Oct 17th 2008, 16:59
To the other eu member countries leaders:
Don't rush for our illegal immigrants.
We can satisfy all your requirements and more.
David Seychell
Oct 17th 2008, 16:21
"It is ironic that while ALL THE EU LEADERS agree that this pact is an effective tool, some in Malta think that it's not. It seems that in our country there is always someone who knows better."
Could it be because, the most burdened country in the world is Malta and not the other EU LEADERS's countries?
Joanne Micallef
Oct 17th 2008, 16:04
Will anyone RESIGN if this pact just like Frontex will turn out to be a flop or worse make the situation even worse for this country?
Denis Catania
Oct 17th 2008, 15:57
PM Gonzi now that you signed the pact and have confidence. Start making the phone calls to other heads of state. If the illegals don't start leaving the Island in the next month or so. The demonstrations making the Maltese government and the EU look like racists will start very soon. It shouldn't take long to book a few flights out of Malta.Pictures of Africans behind barbed wires are in our hands and will end up on signs in front of the Maltese Embassy in New York on a daily basis.
Sergio Galea Vincenti
Oct 17th 2008, 15:40
Until the next general elections - if things remain as they are today - Malta would have welcomed a further 12,000 illegal immigrants or so. At the current rate of repatriation - and being rather generous at it - less than half would have left the Islands.
Now, when one adds these number - 6,000 - to the numbers already in Malta, I would like to see the PM or whoever to come and tell us Maltese to continue bearing it all as if nothing is happening and this is just a reality we have to live with.
And, stll, no one answers the now infamous question: How many more people can Malta accommodate from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe or wherever else these may decide to come from?
A Sciriha
Oct 17th 2008, 11:30
Does the PM really expect any EU member state to disagree with a voluntary pact? Come, come Dr. Gonzi do not be so naive or should I say not to expect us the voters to be so naive? Time will tell whether this pact, being voluntary, will be successful as a long term solution. Though I'm afraid the writing is already on the wall as with all things voluntary. Now let me think....I wonder what will be the excuse, erm...the 'reason" the the illegal immigrant population has exploded beyond control in five years time. Could it be their birth rate compared to ours? Or perhaps the attraction of financial help to go back if they land here. Now that will be hilarious.
J. Spiteri
Oct 17th 2008, 11:07
Ok , now which EU country will be the first to take the first group of immigrants?? Please tell them not to panic; there are enough for everyone!
R.Gauci
Oct 17th 2008, 10:26
I really hope that at least you get these pact , projections and dialogue right Dr.Gonzi!
In the mean time please don't forget those 5 energy saving bulbs and the surplus in public finances by 2010 you promised us already!!
Thanks
l Galea
Oct 17th 2008, 09:58
"Referring also to the current debate on the planned revisions to the tariffs on utilities, Dr Gonzi said this will be done "with a social conscience"
Try pulling the other one Gonzipn.
How can you do anything "with a social conscience" when your Government has long lost its social conscience?
Caphenni Vassallo
Oct 17th 2008, 09:13
"It is ironic that while all the EU leaders agree that this pact is an effective tool, some in Malta think that it's not. It seems that in our country there is always someone who knows better."
All EU leaders agree that divorce is a basic right. Except you, Dr Gonzi. So, I guess you're right that in Malta there's always someone who knows better.