Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
France offers Malta transitional period
Malta has been offered a transitional period on the EU proposal to grant refugees permanent rights, after the island threw out of sync the French Presidency's plans to steer an agreement among member states.
"Following Malta's objections, the French Presidency approached the Maltese authorities to find some kind of solution. Malta was offered a transitional period over this directive - it has not yet come back with an answer," EU sources said.
The offer is aimed at solving the impasse created during last week's Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Brussels over the proposal to grant permanent residence rights to long-term refugees.
Justice Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici opposed the proposal forcing the Presidency to postpone the approval of this new directive.
EU sources told The Times the French Presidency was still trying to reach a deal among all 27 member states by the end of its Presidency, which runs till the end of the year.
Despite this move by the French Presidency, it is not all certain that Malta will accept this offer.
"The government confirms there were some moves but it is still too early to say whether we will be accepting a compromise offer made by the Presidency," a senior government official, who stopped short of divulging the content of the French proposal, said when contacted.
A transitional period will mean Malta will only be exempt from the new directive for a limited number of years. Originally, the island had said it would only vote in favour if the new long-term residency rights to refugees only applied to migrants entering an EU territory legally, and if the directive was implemented by member states on a voluntary basis.
Tabled by the Commission last year, the proposals introduce an amendment to the EU's Long-Term Residence Directive, entitling refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection (humanitarian status) to long-term residence permits after five years living in an EU member state. This would entitle refugees to the same rights as EU citizens in a wide range of social and economic matters. For Malta this would translate into issuing permits to 2,300 refugees already on the island.
If an agreement is not reached before the year is out the dossier will have to be tackled by the Czech Presidency.
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d. borg
Dec 9th 2008, 09:10
The govt must be firm on this one. We've had enough of EU and its regulations especially regarding immigrants. Malta knows its limitations. We do not have space, resources or finance for these immigrants. Besides they have a totally different culture from us and the majority of the Maltese are not ready to sacrifice our way of living and that of our children to accommodate them.
P Debono
Dec 7th 2008, 09:31
As is ALWAYS the case, Malta will roll over and accept this agreement with open arms, with Karmenu claiming it is a victory for the nation.
Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse.
a.cassar
Dec 7th 2008, 07:16
Malta could accept giving the illegal immigrants FULL EU citizenship on condition that as soon as they get it they will leave for any EU country of their choice. As EU citizens they will have the right to do so. Then we'll see how the other states will like it!
Charles P Cilia
Dec 6th 2008, 17:07
The Government must proceed responsibly and with extreme caution. This is a serious matter affecting not only the present Maltese society but also future generations for many years to come.
Just imagine and compare for one minute. America took months to decide how many and when to repatriate less that one percent of all the illegal immigrants now living in Malta. This was done by directly interviewing migrants; ensuring they have relatives already living in America; had a certain level of education; speak English etc. And yet, Malta, being only the size of just one American city, is being asked by the EU Presidency to accept as Maltese citizens thousands of illegal emigrants already living in Malta and guarantee the same for all others who care to follow in the future. It is ridiculous beyond comprehension.
Presently there are Europeans (non EU) who have been residing in Malta for over ten years with Maltese born children who cannot apply for Maltese Citizenship unless they have lived here continuously for 20 years. Ironic isn’t it?
c.camilleri
Dec 6th 2008, 17:01
Malta should stand firm on this issue. The Govt has the whole population behind him. It is just simple, we cannot afford all these extra people. The transitional period offered does not lessen the problems as regards housing, social security, medical care, etc.
Denis Catania
Dec 6th 2008, 16:23
Yesterday we demonstrated in front of the French consulate in New York. Although we were a very small number, we believe we got our word across. The Head of Press and Political Office came out and spoke to us and accepted our petition and vowed it would get to the highest office on immigration issues in France. She also mentioned that the EU has a major problem, but Malta has the worst problem.
The Maltese government must stay strong, the EU knows we are hurting. We just have to prove we are strong. NO MANDATORY BURDEN SHARING NO DEAL.
malcolm seychell
Dec 6th 2008, 15:35
Gonzi should send the presidency to hell.
No real burden sharing no deal.
We will all be with Gonzi at least 97% of the population if he does not accept
The EU cannot tell us anything since it is doing nothing
louise vella
Dec 6th 2008, 14:33
Let's start with a serious FRONTEX, a proper coastguard that defends Malta's sea borders from incursions by illegal immigrants. Then, when we see it's working properly, we can consider other things.
Andrew Gatt
Dec 6th 2008, 13:43
Yeah, right. Another transitional period. And when it expires, we suffer again. What do they take us for? Minister, please keep your heels firmly dug in . Malta needs PERMANENT arrangements.........and let's have them rock solid please!
The EU has already broken one out of 77 special arrangements - that of spring hunting. The EU also granted us a transitional period for the Drydocks....and then came up with all sorts of arguments and excuses regarding its' sale.
What next?
B Borg
Dec 6th 2008, 13:25
Malta should not accept any more EU dictat over immigration - we have been abused, pushed to the limits and taken for a ride for far too long by the EU. At best, Malta should only accept exemptions or non-binding voluntary agreements. Anything less than that would make me believe that Gonzi is pandering to the EU with the intention of becoming Malta's next Commissioner in Brussels.
lgalea
Dec 6th 2008, 12:59
No transitional period no nothing France.
You were the colonizers of many countries in Africa now you lump the ILLEGAL immigrants.
Here they are unwanted and unwelcome and whatever you and the eu does they will never be accepted in Maltese society.
Sandro Pace
Dec 6th 2008, 11:26
Transitional period?? Will Malta grow with time, will the influx stop with time????
Hold strong to your perfect position Minister,at whatever expense. Accepting a transitional period will only shift the burden to yours and our children. You will go down in history with that.
The only acceptable compromise may be an opt out.
louise vella
Dec 6th 2008, 10:53
“A transitional period will mean Malta will only be exempt from the new directive for a limited number of years. Originally, the island had said it would only vote in favour if the new long-term residency rights to refugees only applied to migrants entering an EU territory legally, and if the directive was implemented by member states on a voluntary basis.”
“limited number of years”! But if this directive is bad for Malta now, in a few years’ time it will be worse because the influx of illegal immigrants is expected to increase and not to fall.
We have to start at the beginning, that is, by securing Malta’s sea borders which are the southern most borders of the EU.
Having said that, Gonzi and Mifsud Bonnici have such a record of retreating under EU pressure that I am not sure they will be strong enough to defend Malta’s national interests.