Italian Interior Minister in Malta to discuss immigration
Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni is in Malta for talks with the Prime Minister and with Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici.
Sig Maroni arrived yesterday evening and was greeted by Dr Mifsud Bonnici.
A spokesman for the ministry said the talks are to focus on immigration.
The meeting comes just over a week after European leaders adopted the Immigration Pact, which includes measures on the repatriation of migrants and burden-sharing.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici last week also discussed immigration during talks in Nicosia with the Cypriot Minister of Home Affairs.
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Joe Xuereb
Nov 1st 2008, 00:51
@A. Caruana. 'L-ilbies jaghmel in-nies' runs the Maltese proverb, the meaning of which is unequivocal. On the other hand, 'L'abito non fa il monaco' is diametrically opposite in meaning. So where does this leave A. Caruana?
J Zammit
Oct 27th 2008, 17:59
@Ms Vella
You're blaming Italy for our plight, but if it did patrol Libyan waters, how would it actually make the boats turn back?
Persuasion? I don't think so!
A. Caruana
Oct 27th 2008, 15:40
I don't give a hoot what civil servants in the UK wear (or anywhere else for that matter). You are missing the point completely. If Mr Maroni goes to Iran and meets Mr Ahmadinejad (who nevers wear a tie) dressed like this, then good on him. (Some would say that's not the only thing they've got in common!) It's just not on though if his counterpart is wearing a tie. Never mind, I'll keep an eye out for Mr Maroni's next trip to slightly bigger nations than Malta...see what he chooses to wear then. L'abito non fa il monaco indeed...
louise vella
Oct 27th 2008, 15:04
Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici should tell Maroni the real truth:
Malta is carrying part of Italy’s burden, because this problem was largely caused by Italy.
Most of our illegal immigrants come from former Italian colonies – Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia.
They transit through another former Italian colony – Libya.
Italy has the responsibility and the means to stop the influx by posting a few patrol boats just off Libya’s territorial waters (patrol boats NOT gunboats) to turn back the boats carrying illegal immigrants and their mother ships.
Malta does not have the means to do so. It just has to pick up the pieces for Italy.
Michael Neville Cassar
Oct 27th 2008, 14:34
Let us hope we will not get the end of the stick on the immigration issue.???????
Joe Xuereb
Oct 27th 2008, 14:05
Mr. Maroni is simply giving a message that dealing with problems can be done equally well
without a useless tie. A tie is an anachronistic piece of junk stranglehold (sometimes literally) that has no place in a modern man's apparel. To insist that its continued use shows
respect is bizarre to say the least. I hope he is as practical as he appears to be. I worked for the British Government for forty years, never wore a tie or a suit and still make headway in my career. It was suggested I wear I suit and tie when I was invited to meet the Queen. I did because I was representing the Royal Borough I worked for. I never felt so uncomfortable and looked so ridiculous in my whole life with that stupid length of material round my neck and I have not worn it since. Respecting protocol comes at a high price is all I have to say - I bet that suit and tie is riddled with moth-holes wherever it is. Horrible, expensive rag!
Suits and ties!!!!!!! Paffffffff!!!!!!
p.piscitelli
Oct 27th 2008, 13:45
the italians have a saying that says l'ABITO NON FA IL MONACO.
malcolm seychell
Oct 27th 2008, 13:40
If all the interior ministers of the EU countries are like Maroni, Europe would not have half of the problems it has about security and order.
Maroni apart from the illegal immigration problem, is also proposing, that those convicted with drug use, will have their driving license taken away.
More severe prison sentences from serious crimes.
Integration programs for immigrants will be a must and not an option.
Basically it seems to be common sense, but obviously for that he is being labelled as far right by the communists and the liberals.
Well Italy although facing serious problems, the government has about 62% of the population who are backing his decisions.
A. Caruana
Oct 27th 2008, 13:10
@Ian Galea
I am vaguely familiar with Mr Maroni's dress code in Italy, I do live there after all. He's in Malta now though, where ministers usually wear ties.
Ian Galea
Oct 27th 2008, 12:19
If you follow Italian news at all, Roberto Maroni is one of the leading politician in the war against illegal immigration and has already taken several unpopular decisions.
Mr. I. Galea ... I would rather have Mr.Maroni here without a tie than some German politician dressed elegantly but who doesn't care about our problems
C.Sapiano
Oct 27th 2008, 11:55
If you watch Italian news you would know that in many formal meetings Maroni does not wear a tie.
l Galea
Oct 27th 2008, 11:44
First we have the Commissioner Kroes with a kitchen dress and now we have the Italian Minister without a tie.
Is this to show how much they respect our Ministers?
What has happened to the formal protocol and dresses?
Would they go to meet the Queen, Presidents or Ministers of other countries dressed like this?
How much ILLEGAL immigrants is he going to take back with him in view of the VOLUNTARY burden sharing pact?
Sergio Galea Vincenti
Oct 27th 2008, 11:28
Uhmmm... Is Minister Maroni here to voluntarily share our burden?
malcolm seychell
Oct 27th 2008, 09:45
Minister Maroni should give some tips to our minister how to tackle this problem.