Illegal migration high on the agenda

December will mark an end to a European Union presidency that has had significant importance for Malta and the other Mediterranean countries facing, like ourselves, challenges on the illegal immigration front. The French presidency must be commended for putting this item on the agenda of the 27 member states. It gave primary direction for concrete proposals as to how the whole of the EU should deal with all the issues in a coordinated manner. It is a presidency that will be remembered as the one that laid the foundations for a common EU policy for immigration and asylum.

Through our perseverance and insistence, the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum has confirmed the need for enhanced efforts in relation to illegal migration as well as concrete action to implement the principle of solidarity. The pact establishes that the EU of 27 has now on its agenda the repatriation of illegal immigrants to their countries of origin, the drawing up of new agreements with countries of origin and transit, the reinforcement of effective border control, the organisation of legal migration and common asylum process and the relocation of persons who have been recognised as entitled to international protection.

Having illegal immigration at the very top of the EU's agenda has played an important role for those member states that felt estranged. The pact gives new attention to this plight. But this is the result of what we have been working on; an important step. However, we cannot assume that the inroads that we've made in the past four months are enough. We have to move on in all EU fora to ensure that what has been agreed upon will be implemented in the most favourable timeframe possible so that Malta can derive the maximum benefit.

For this reason, we intend to keep this matter high on the EU's agenda, even after the end of the French presidency.

This was the focus of the meeting I had with the Italian Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni during his two-day visit last month. During the meeting, the point was made that the Mediterranean, being the southern-most border, must be given its due importance. The Mediterranean dimension is necessary. We need to tackle important issues of common interest to us, such as those posed by illegal immigration, together as one, because the message should always be that our problems are not just "Mediterranean" but also European. This initiative received a positive response from our partners in the eastern Mediterranean, which partnership will be enhanced and strengthened by bringing to life a "permanent forum".

The French presidency presented us with unprecedented opportunity to give the Mediterranean, along with all its opportunities and challenges, the importance and respect that it deserves from the European Union. But this presidency will soon come to an end and we must ensure that the incoming Czech and Swedish presidencies keep this matter high on their agenda before the onset of the Spanish presidency in 2010. It is now up to us and our Mediterranean partners to keep the momentum going. This is essential both for us and the whole European Union.

This is the line that will be taken on Thursday when the Quadro Group meets for the first time. Cyprus, Italy, Greece and Malta will be together on this road.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici is the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.