Migration causing 'extreme pressure' on Malta's social fabric' - minister
The increased number of illegal immigrants is putting extreme pressure on the accommodation capabilities as well as the social fabric of the Maltese islands, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said this morning.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by MEUSAC and the Czech embassy on the Czech EU presidency priorities, Dr Borg insisted once more than immigration must remain high on the EU agenda.
“While appreciating the efforts by the previous French Presidency, it is essential that in the overall migration debate, the focus on illegal migration remains as clear as ever during the Czech Presidency. Legal migration is a positive factor but cannot be successful without effectively tackling illegal immigration. One must ensure that the thrust of past initiatives is maintained, while at the same time finding alternative solutions and innovative modalities to deal with the impact of illegal migration on countries of destination and transit.”
He said there should be a renewed emphasis on awareness campaigns in countries of origin focusing on public information and/or education campaigns on the risk of illegal migration, particularly on the dangers of falling into the hands of traffickers and smugglers.
“We also need to address the root causes of mass movements of people - mass poverty, conflict, famine and the proliferation of failed states, come to mind. Intensified efforts are required to combat the illegal activities of unscrupulous traffickers who exploit the plight of fellow human beings for their own gain. I believe greater pressure should be applied to ensure that governments in countries of origin live up to their responsibilities in this sphere.”
Referring to the Immigration Pact, he said that it was now important to ensure that the momentum built over the last months was maintained in 2009 aimed at implementing the key provisions of the Pact within the shortest possible timeframes. “Indeed, while appreciating the comprehensive nature of the Pact, a number of points can certainly be identified as priorities for Malta. These include the relocation of beneficiaries of protection, the establishment of a European Asylum Support Office, the effective return of illegal migrants through the conclusion of Readmission Agreements and effective border controls through the strengthening of FRONTEX,” the minister said.
The minister in his speech welcomed Czech plans to focus on European economic competitiveness, energy security and external relations. He said it was crucial that Malta intensified its relations with the Arab World.
On enlargement, Dr Borg said Malta backed efforts to speed up Croatia’s accession process and was also not averse to speeding up the progress in Turkey’s accession negotiations.
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malcolm seychell
Jan 17th 2009, 18:40
Tonio Borg is the best one to handle illegal immigration problem at least from the PN field.
He is much better then Mifsud Bonnici and Dolores Cristina who practically have an open door policy.
Antoine Vella
Jan 17th 2009, 18:16
Immigration has indeed affected our society, laying bare the hypocrisy and moral poverty of a supposedly Catholic society.
Government should open its eyes and realise that the prejudice and ignorance are the real danger to Maltese social fabric. To paraphrase the Minister, "there should be an awareness campaign focusing on public information and education" to bring about the social integration of immigrants and stamp out the bigotry and xenophobia afflicting our society. Immigration has not created racism, it has only brought it to light.
Chris Borg
Jan 17th 2009, 12:00
Is Minister Tonio Borg representing the maltese people's sentiment when claiming that Malta "was also not averse to speeding up the progress in Turkey’s accession negotiations."?
Raymond Sammut
Jan 17th 2009, 11:57
@ Tonio Borg
There are no "dangers of falling into the hands of traffickers and smugglers". The illegal immigrants on Malta willingly collaborated with and paid money to the crime syndicates so that they could access the labour market and welfare system in Malta.
Any piece of paper given to the illegal immigrants by the Commission for Refugees is legally void. The illegal immigrants on Malta are in a third country, originated from a second country that had provided them haven, and a clear majority of us the Maltese people now have very low to zero tolerance for them.
Now that the illegal immigrants have received all the assistance that they needed, they are required to return to their home country. They either return voluntarily, else you have the responsibility to remove the illegal immigrants by force. The UN has the legal obligation to assist the government of Malta to remove all illegal immigrants from Malta at the earliest.
Stephen Pace
Jan 17th 2009, 11:23
I think that sometimes you refer to another Joseph Muscat and not the PL Leader because knowing how much time you spend preying on the Times, you have obviously read the article about Labour Leader emphasizing further the need of the Dublin Directive, now that Tonio's FRONTEX is confirmed to be a complete mess!
Stephen Pace
Jan 17th 2009, 11:20
@ All PN contributors who would also like to turn this issue into a political twist...
First of all you seem that you don't know what is really happening around you in Europe. The Socialist party in the EP voted in favour of certain rights granted to legal immigrants/refugees and not to illegal immigrants entering Europe by illegal means. Please try to get things rather than spending your time attacking Labour on things in which Labour is far beyond PN to achieve a reasonable solution or deal with the European Union.
I think that sometimes you refer to another Joseph Muscat and not the PL Leader because knowing how much time you spend preying on the Times, you have obviously read the article about Labour Leader emphasizing more and more the need of the Dublin Directive!
R Spiteri
Jan 17th 2009, 09:12
I suggest that the goverment should commence by taking a series of actions now that the situation is straining our 'social fabric' and security forces in our country. Many times our rescuse forces are called in to rescue invaders because ' their boat engine stopped' ' they ran out of fuel' and so on. More so, the media reports ' they were found all in good health' ' one of the immigrants was pregnant' etc etc. As a first measure I would suggest that the Maltese government would rescue the sick, pregnant and children and send back all males by providing them fuel and a sturdy large inflatable dingy plus engine. In this way they can return from where they came from, no excuses. This way is much cheaper for the government then to accomodate , feed and retain the whole lot. Other measure will be introduced in phases. The hidden message ' organise yourselves and come here, as its a free country' has to stop.
Louis Sinagra
Jan 16th 2009, 01:44
Dr Borg . The Best thing you did was when you sent the first Illeagal Immigrants Back home . It is TIME to do the same and send all of them back and I am sure even the other countries will respect you for having the guts to do so .ENOUGH is ENOUGH
louise vella
Jan 15th 2009, 19:47
At leasr Tonio Borg said the right things.
Whenever Gonzi opens his mouth on illegal immigrants he speaks like an archbishop-in-waiting.
Ivan Attard
Jan 15th 2009, 18:13
@Tonio Borg
Very good observation you made Mr Minister. Truly Malta's social fabric is straining under this pressure!
Now how about repeating the statements publicly and issuing directives aimed at DOING something as opposed to just TALKING.
Time is running out FAST.
Brian Fenech
Jan 15th 2009, 17:12
Good morning to you, good morning to you, good morning Dear Minister, Good morning to you!
Joe Vella
Jan 15th 2009, 16:42
@ C.Sapiano (3 hours, 48 minutes ago)
"@eric saliba
Yes but what is the solution of the PL??? - u know what socialist left-wing parties think about immigration?"
The Socialist know enough that the European Socialist bloc voted at the EU Parliament to extend voting rights in local elections. Our own Joseph Muscat was one of them that voted for this measure.
Michelle Dali
Jan 15th 2009, 16:25
More words, words, words this time from our Foreign Minister, yet still no ACTION!
Dr Borg, what is the point of stating what is glaringly obvious? We are all well aware that 'The increased number of illegal immigrants is putting extreme pressure on the accommodation capabilities as well as the social fabric of the Maltese islands'.
This is what concerned Maltese citizens have stated time and time again. What we want from you and the other politicians elected to lead our country, is ACTION. And we want it NOW. Before the 'extreme pressure' becomes 'complete disaster'. Before it is too late to reverse the damage done to this country by the unrelenting, continuous, and never-ending influx of illegal aliens. IT IS TIME FOR ACTION NOT WORDS.
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 15th 2009, 15:30
“We also need to address the root causes of mass movements of people..............."
Well said Dr. Tonio Borg, I just cannot agree more strongly on this. This is the real issue here and should be very strongly addressed and acted upon. Why do failed states exist ? Why did they fail ? When it comes to conflicts - take for example : what happened to Europe during the WW1 and WW2, two of the most devastating wars humans have ever lived trough !!! Even though the EU is far from perfect, but isn't this a result of such conflicts, .........it is a story of success, no !!! Considering these African nations, with all the richness of the lands, it simply beats my logic !!!
May I humbly recommend - Innovation and Creativity - Lateral Thinking - Prof. Edward De Bono, (He advised the South African Government on how to tackle Apartheid issues, just to mention one example.)
lgalea
Jan 15th 2009, 15:21
According to the report in another part of the press http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=50291the tanker that picked up the illegal immigrants was on its way to NIGERIA. "It-tanker kien fi triqtu lejn in-Niġerja meta nhar il-Ħadd filgħaxija..."
So why did they allow the illegal immigrants to be landed in Malta when the tanker was on its way to an African country from where the illegal immigrants could have been sent back to their own countries overland and saved us God only knows how many more millions to keep them here?
Answers please.
Carmen V . Gauci
Jan 15th 2009, 14:29
Am I the only one doubting Frontex ?? Why are we still discussing strengthening Frontex when these have reaped no results. Dear Government do like our neighbouring countries, Wake Up and send them back, its already late you should have done this along time ago.
Anthony Formosa
Jan 15th 2009, 14:28
One day if not already these people (illegal immigrants) will contribute to our ecenomy and eventually will have the right to vote like any other Maltese citizen, think about it.
A Vella
Jan 15th 2009, 14:27
Dr Borg still hasn't learned that common sense and nice words will get him nowhere as regards this issue and the EU. In his place, i would first take concrete action, so that the EU will maybe realise you mean business, that when of course their criticisms start flowing in (unlike their help) you would make it clear that the Maltese nation has waited idle, looking at the degeneration of the situation for many years, and that the time has arrived for you to truly protect your country. Come on! give us a reason to vote for your party again- otherwise we have absoluterly no motivation- all this time PN has been too much of a bystander in this situation concerning our tiny country.
Phil Press
Jan 15th 2009, 14:26
Once again, more words now wait for action,(be a long wait though).
lgalea
Jan 15th 2009, 14:24
"So wake up from your sleep please. "
Sleep? We are lucky if they are only in a stupor.
Tania Mallia
Jan 15th 2009, 14:23
@ Wally Vella Zarb
"It is, as far as I know, 'against the Law' to enter a country without any identification and without pre-authorisation"
First of all these people are being brought in to Malta by the AFM, therefore they are committing no crime. If an foriegn sailor , for example, had to fall ill while cruiing in Maltese waters., and be brought to Malta by helicopter, would he be breaking the law? And what if a yachtsman saiing the mediterranean drifted into maltese waters by mistake, or if an emrican tourist had to fall off her cruise-ship in maltese waters?
Secondly , you can only be breaking a law if you know this law exists, or if this law is applicable to youself. Do these people know they are breaking maltese laws by entering our waters? What if they disagree with this law? What if they believe this island belong to them, maybe WE are breaking their laws, since Malta is likely to have been inhabited by africans at some point. This is a rock in a sea which lies between two continents, and probably never had a native population.
Denis Catania
Jan 15th 2009, 14:18
Isn't this what we've been saying?? Why is the minority trying to shut us up?? Why hasn't Tonio Borg been preaching this all along?? Did he think it was going to stop by itself?? Does anyone think packing illegals like sardines on a already overpopulated Island is good for them?? Show the Czech picture how they are kept due to the size of our Island?? Show the world pictures on how they are kept due to the size of our Island?? and tell the EU how much we are going to suffer if we don't gain freedom of movement for them through burden sharing?? Can we patrol the MED and start looking for the motherships?? CAN WE?? Or this people are not as important as cargo?? We protect cargo from pirates?? Lets protect mother, babies and fathers too from human traffickers of it's worst???. It's your obligation Tonio Borg. Yes it's your obligations. You as a Foreigh Minister in the MED have a big obligation to stop human traficking in your back yard. Yes it's your obligation. Next time you sip on that cocktail at one of the EU affairs, think about the Maltese and the illegals.Think about us!!
michael fenech
Jan 15th 2009, 14:18
@ C.Sapiano.
Mr.Sapiano, the PN and poeple like you who Voted blindly for them got us into this Mass not the PL.
Like I said before this government have no GUTS to say anything to the EU.
Kenneth Galea
Jan 15th 2009, 14:13
Taken you so long Tonio Borg to realise the utter mess we are in. When you were responsible for immigration the system was near collapse, now under CMB it is in disarray and in utter chaos.
Nothing is going to change, same old story talk, talk, talk. Under Sarkozy we had record number of illegal immigrants invading our island. What makes you think things are going to be better under the Chezks??
It is clear to everybody that the GonziPN government need to take the bull by its horns and act in the best of the national interest. The UNHCR and EU are only encouraing illegal immigration by their actions therefore it is time for the Maltese Government to take action NOW and start deporting the economic illegal immigrants we are hosting and refuse entry to future ones as the island is FULL UP! Gonzi and CMB you are never going to make it clear to the EU that the island is FULL UP unless you refuse entry to any future illegal migrants who try to enter via the back door! WE ARE ON OUR OWN!!!!!!!!!
michael fenech
Jan 15th 2009, 14:04
This Government doesn't have the GUTS to say BOO to the EU.
We are Europe's dumping grounds.
Charles Falzon
Jan 15th 2009, 14:00
Some positive words from Dr.Borg.
Let's see concrete action about stopping this engulfing wave.
eric saliba
Jan 15th 2009, 13:51
@ c sapiano. had govt taken up joseph muscat's offer and not signed the burden sharing farce the ball would have been in the EU's court to try and find other solutions.
i am not interested in what other european socialists do or say. i am maltese and for me this is what matters most. btw i am not rascist but i see the problem of immigration getting out of hand.
joe Mifsud
Jan 15th 2009, 13:35
Whats next now dear minister? We give them the right to vote so they thank you for accepting them here.
Vincent Zerafa
Jan 15th 2009, 13:15
1.Once again the government admits that illegal immigrants is affecting us very badly.
2. This proves that those who are concerned are right and those who are 'politically correct' are wrong. Your idealism proves to be unrealistic.
3. We should take our quota of refugees but no more than that.
4. We who are concerned should keep increasing awareness and vote wisely next June.
5. The government should implement the measures taken by EU neighbours Italy and France
wally vella-zarb
Jan 15th 2009, 12:55
@ Joe Grima
"Government should emulate our Italian neighbours and declare illegal immigration a crime."
At the end of the day, what is the effective difference between something that is 'illegat' and that which is a 'crime'?
It is, as far as I know, 'against the Law' to enter a country without any identification and without pre-authorisation. These people are not only breaking the Law in this respect, they are also making a mockery of the International Law of the Sea in putting themselves 'at risk' and then claiming distress, knowing that SOLAS obliges us to 'rescue' them from the (self-inflicted) Perils of The Sea.
mario mifsud
Jan 15th 2009, 12:51
Ghin lilek innifsek l-ewwel u Alla jghinek
Ahseb u ara kemm se tghinha l-Ewropa
Jekk l-awtoritajiet ma jiehdux stand iebsa ara xi hadd jippretendi li pajjizi ohra se jghollu subajghom ghal-Maltin
Dan kollu hu frott ta l-skola servili imperjali
J.Spiteri
Jan 15th 2009, 12:47
Now do something about it, send them back, they are unwelcome on our shores. Most Maltese people will support you.
EDWIN DE MARCO
Jan 15th 2009, 12:39
REALLY!!! WELL, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER TO WAKE UP...OR BACK TO ZZZZZZZZZZZ!!
C.Sapiano
Jan 15th 2009, 12:39
@eric saliba
Yes but what is the solution of the PL??? - u know what socialist left-wing parties think about immigration?
Joe Vassallo
Jan 15th 2009, 12:34
@ A. Sapiano
What does PL have to do with this? The report did not say that Labour was invited to send a speaker.
Furthermore, every initiative taken by Labour has been treated with contempt by the party in Govt.
It is Govt’s responsibility to face these issues – that is what they are being paid for, and that is what they promised their voters.
You can’t expect someone to rush in and support you, when you want him/her to, and then continually attack that person’s credibility and throw doubt on his/her goodwill and intentions.
john micallef
Jan 15th 2009, 12:31
@joe grima
good one, but malta is not italy, our politicians are more interested in the funds (malta qatt ma rrifjutat qamh) but there nation's security issue. the one you mentioned is a security degree.
J Fenech
Jan 15th 2009, 12:31
Dr.Borg，
Please stop talking and act. The time to act has come. And that time is now. Your french counterpart has just declared that his country repatriated no less than 30000 immigrants last year. And he didn't seek approval from the eu. So wake up from your sleep please.
D. Borg
Jan 15th 2009, 12:29
We must take the bull by the horn if we want to solve this grave problem once and for all. We cannot wait for the EU or anybody else to solve it for us because this is never going to happen. The more time passes the more complicated the situation will become. Remember that lately they are not coming in groups of 28 anymore but in groups of hundreds. We need to do something NOW!!
Bastjan Tabone
Jan 15th 2009, 12:28
Genesis: Chapter 1, verse 3
And God said "Let there be Light" : And there was Light.
TONIO Hallina! Trid?
eric saliba
Jan 15th 2009, 12:26
@ c sapiano. apparently you have a short memory . remember weeks ago joseph muscat urged the govt not to accept the burden sharing farce ?? and that labour would back the govt in this ???
Aaron Stivala
Jan 15th 2009, 12:26
Smells of MEP elections just round the corner. I doubt we'll see anything more than words before then, and nothing at all after June until the next vote.
R.Gauci
Jan 15th 2009, 12:22
Bongu onorevoli Tonio Borg !
lgalea
Jan 15th 2009, 12:19
"The increased number of illegal immigrants is putting extreme pressure on the accommodation capabilities as well as the social fabric of the Maltese islands, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said this morning."
The why is Gonzipn, you and CMB not taking extreme measures to rid Malta and the Maltese citizens of the illegal immigrants?
Joe Grima
Jan 15th 2009, 12:19
Rather than just wait for the EU to pump money into our problem with illegal immigrants , our Government should emulate our Italian neighbours and declare illegal immigration a crime. This is from today's Corriere: "Con l'approvazione dell'articolo 19 del ddl sicurezza è diventata di fatto reato l’immigrazione clandestina e il soggiorno illegale in Italia. La pena prevista non è il carcere ma una sanzione dai 5 ai 10 mila euro." Although the punishment for illegal entry or for residing in Italy without a permit is not a prison sentence, the fine for entering Italy illegally is from 5 to 10 thousand euro. The debate is on now whether to get a residence permit or to renew one immigrants are made to pay 50 euros. The Itaiian Governemnt is pro-acative. Ours is a money hungry whiner that must have bored our European partners stiff everytime we weep on the shoudlers of the European states asking for help .
Charles Sammut
Jan 15th 2009, 12:18
@ A Tabone
"Now I am not saying that we are the same situation, far from it."
You left out one qualifying word "YET".
What is written in these blogs does not faithfully reflect the grassroots feelings. Speak to the man in the street off the record and you will realise how close to the edge the country really is.
People are disinclined to express themselves honestly in public because of the relentless campaign by misguided and/or mercenary organisations and individuals screaming racism and xenophobia at anyone expressing concern about this criminal activity. Inevitably this is going to backfire.
The only effect that our politicians' jetting to and fro, wagging their chins, is achieving, is more CO2 in the atmosphere and more taxes for us.
Edwin Mifsud
Jan 15th 2009, 12:18
@ Tonio Borg
And what are you going to DO (not say) about it?
Forget about the burden sharing joke.
john micallef
Jan 15th 2009, 12:17
finally, but with words only one cannot achieve anything. and by the way this happened because of the freedom of expression we have in our country, countless were those to had their voices heard but were also stopped from doing so silently by the system.
hope we achieve something by this cause already the czech presidency sidelined this issue to give more priority to he gas supply and the mideast scenario
mary Pace
Jan 15th 2009, 12:15
send them back,where they came from & Whoever object,they can go with them or give them shelter in thier house,WE CANNOT TAKE ANY MORE!!!
Chris Tanti
Jan 15th 2009, 12:14
It is the duty of our politicians to ensure they safeguard the interest of the Maltese society. Minister Bog is admitting that the illegal immigration problem is causing extreme (emphasis.. extreme!) pressure on our social fabric... so why aren't exceptional solutions being implemented? Look at what Italy is doing. Our policies should never be less harsh than Italy's (for obvious reasons). Are we going to wait till it's too late to take action?
C.Sapiano
Jan 15th 2009, 12:14
At least the PN is speaking and putting pressure, even if more needs to be done. Other left-wing parties like the PL dont say anything at all !
Joe Vassallo
Jan 15th 2009, 12:11
Dear Dr. Borg,
You should have done your homework first – look what the Times has reported :
The point was made quite plain by Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Vodra last week. When asked how the Czech Presidency intends tackling illegal immigration in Southern Europe, he replied brusquely that this is not a priority for his country's Presidency.
It is high time you show some backbone and tell these guys that if they are abandoning Malta (and the other Quadro countries), then we will hit back by making life as difficult as we can for them.
Your Government has been supine whilst the rest of the EU (except for Italy) have been ignoring us.
Wake up man – be proud of being Maltese and show the Maltese fighting spirit.
P Debono
Jan 15th 2009, 12:08
Words are cheap.
Action is what this country needs.
d. borg
Jan 15th 2009, 12:04
It's what the majority of the Maltese have been saying and repeating and that is why we ask for action not words.
simon sullivan
Jan 15th 2009, 11:59
ahh deo gracias, what do you know? they have been living on this rock too after all
Alex Linder
Jan 15th 2009, 11:54
Then put your foot down and say enough is enough.The future looks bleak if all this immigration is not stopped and stopped now.Flooding these Islands with thousands who have different standards of life,different cultural and religious beliefs and many who have criminal intent is just sowing the seeds of disaster.Act,act now!
H Dempster
Jan 15th 2009, 11:50
I am taking a break, i have had enough ,maybe someone in parliament will make up his mind to do something.
A. Tabone
Jan 15th 2009, 11:48
Israel attacked Gaza even though the rest of the world disapproved it (except US), why? Because the defence of its citizens was put on high priority.
Now I am not saying that we are the same situation, far from it. However we don't need the rest of the world to approve for us to take action to defend ourselves.
Frontex is a failure... it was proved that this year we had more immigrants than last year. If we keep waiting from the EU , it will be too late.
Charles Micallef
Jan 15th 2009, 11:42
If migration is causing US extreme pressure, I cannot understands what are we waiting for to take concrete action?
Permission from our EU partners pehaps?
I M Dingli
Jan 15th 2009, 11:41
Bil-paroli ma naslu mkien, fatti irridu.
Andrew Gatt
Jan 15th 2009, 11:35
Skoprejna l-Amerika!