Immigration: EU Mediterranean states to adopt common approach

l Galea

Oct 27th 2008, 22:30

Andrew Sciberras
Were it not for the fact that we are bound by the Dublin II convention as eu members we would have had the right to take any decision in our country's interest without having to plead for permission to do anything while being lumped with thousands of illegal immigrants.

We could even have renounced to the Refugee Convention, something which we cannot now do as we have the eu breathing down our neck. Indeed, Malta was ordered by the eu to remove the reservations which the Maltese Government had made to the Refugee Convention, which is one of the main reasons why so many are coming to Malta.

Andrew Sciberras

Oct 27th 2008, 20:49

I.Galea,

In my opinion this clause is (well..was) far stronger than:

(1) Bilateral negotiations/agreements between two countries
(2) A directive which approves of voluntary sharing of responsibility/burden

Also, one must keep in mind that the ECJ, since the 1960's, has applied the doctrine of direct effect over EU treaties, i.e. that EU treaties are supreme and override national legislation. So in effect this would have applied to the 27 member states.

We need more Europe on this issue and not the contrary.

l Galea

Oct 27th 2008, 19:25

Andrew Sciberras
Such as simply giving the member country some money to offset the costs and leave the country to lump the illegal immigrants.

Have a look at what was proposed by the Constitution.

The Commission will first have to make a proposal to the Council.
Then the Council may adopt regulations etc AFTER consulting the European Parliament

So first we have to get the Commission to make a proposal.
Then the Council will have to consult the European Parliament.
Then if the European Parliament agrees, the Council will issue a regulation or whatever which may not find the approval of the Commission or the European Parliament and will have to haggle between themselves.

An emergency required quick action, not nit picking and bickering between the eu institutions.

Andrew Sciberras

Oct 27th 2008, 18:30

It is all rather ironic. Minister Roberto Maroni hails from a party which vehemently opposed a Constitution for Europe and which often criticizes the European Union. This very treaty (establishing a Constitution for Europe) which Lega Nord voted against provided the following clause in Article III-266:

3. In the event of one or more Member States being confronted by an emergency situation characterised by a sudden inflow of nationals of third countries, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may adopt European regulations or decisions comprising provisional measures FOR THE BENEFIT of the Member State(s) concerned. It shall act after consulting the European Parliament.

...and then they come here and try to figure out what we should do about the immigration situation...

Denis Catania

Oct 27th 2008, 17:56

I guess the pact isn't going to work, like it's suppose too.Where are the Volunteers, that voluntary burden sharing was suppose to bring.

louise vella

Oct 27th 2008, 17:29

“Both ministers agreed on the need to better define the Frontex mission and boost its resources”.

Frontex needs to become a border control agency protecting Malta’s and the EU’s southern borders from the illegal entry of unwanted foreigners. It should not remain what it has proved to be so far – a ferry service for illegal immigrants from Libyan waters to EU shores.

“The forum will also see both countries cooperating on matters such as search and rescue and the repatriation of illegal immigrants.”

Help for the repatriation of illegal immigrants is urgently needed. According to an article in The Times, October 25, 2008 (‘Fewer migrants repatriated’):

“A growing number of immigrants are not being sent back to their home country even though they do not qualify for refugee status or humanitarian protection … an increasing number of illegal immigrants are now coming from countries such as Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Liberia, to where repatriation is more difficult …the number of repatriated immigrants dwindled to a mere 181 between January and August this year.”

The two ministers do not seem to have discussed burden-sharing. Of course not! Who wants to share our burden?

l Galea

Oct 27th 2008, 16:53

A clear definition of Frontex role to PREVENT ILLEGAL immigrants from entering member countries waters and turn them back to the North African coast is clearly needed before increasing its allocation since with Frontex the ILLEGAL immigrants INVASION increased instead of diminishing.