Juan Ameen
Illegal immigration is country's 'biggest challenge'
Illegal immigration is still the country's biggest challenge and Malta expects the full support of its European partners to come up with concrete solutions, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.
Addressing members of the diplomatic corps and media at the Nationalist Party headquarters, Dr Gonzi said he expected the full support of all countries to tackle the immigration problem.
"Even though it is an enormous challenge, we have to keep in mind that, first and foremost, these people are human beings," the Prime Minister said. He also referred to the recent nomination of Malta's next President. "The Nationalist Party was always at the forefront and prepared to take decisions while keeping the country's needs in mind - one of these decisions is to nominate George Abela for President."
The former Labour Party deputy leader's nomination reflected the country's political maturity, he said. He spoke about the importance of values, such as work and the family, for the Nationalist Party.
"The government has always adopted policies that create more jobs - we value and treasure strong work ethics in Malta," he said. Important decisions needed to be taken in 2009 to help strengthen the economy, he said.
The government would reform or regenerate any sectors carried over from the past that were no longer suited to the country's economy, said Dr Gonzi.
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deb bugeja
Jan 19th 2009, 08:19
How does allowing illegal immigrants here in Malta can either help us create more jobs or strenghten our economy???
Authorities please take drastic action not just talk
d. borg
Jan 19th 2009, 07:26
Dear Mr Prime Minister, we want concrete actions from you not from EU. Ultimately you are responsible for the security and well being of our country. We elected you as Prime Minister not EU! Or are you mentioning the subject only because MEP elections are approaching!!
Marvin Mizzi
Jan 18th 2009, 14:57
Even though it is an enormous challenge, we have to keep in mind that, first and foremost, these people are human beings," the Prime Minister said.
First and foremost we have to remember that these are doing something illegally again the law of a civilised society and that is what the Prime Minister should be worried of!!!!!!!!!
Charles Sammut
Jan 18th 2009, 13:28
"Illegal immigration is still the country's biggest challenge and Malta expects the full support of its European partners to come up with concrete solutions, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday."
I also expect a lot of things, doesn't mean that I will get them though. Thisis a defeatist attitude. Instead of leading by example, Dr Gonzi is expecting others to show the way. Surely he realises that no other country in Europe is as threatened by illegal immigration as Malta is.
No other EU country identified illegal immigration as its 'biggest challenge'. Therefore it stands to reason that to lean on EU countries to solve this problem for us is never going to work. We have been told as much by the Czech presidency. There are none so deaf as those who will not listen.
Remember, Dr Gonzi, we are human beings too.
John Portelli
Jan 18th 2009, 13:22
Yes, illegal immigration is the biggest challenge and one that must be addressed. A country of 400,000 cannot continue taking thousands of people every year and believe that things are normal. This will be a recipe for disaster and a threat to the Maltese regardless of what anyone said. And by taling about this issue, people should not be labeled racist.
Kenneth Galea
Jan 18th 2009, 12:13
Dr Gonzi if you do NOT allow the EU and the UNHCR to interfere with the illegal immigration issue in Malta then it won't be a problem. It is clear that you are just begging and pleading with the EU about this national crisis but all is falling on deaf ears. It seems to me you are unable to refuse entry to these thousands of economic migrants because the EU and the UNHCR will surely hold you to ransom. And when it comes to the deportation issue you are just powerless to do something about it, then again the EU and the UNHCR tell you what to do. The EU and the UNHCR are the root of the problem and only encouraing illegal immigration and they are reluctant to take the necessary steps to stop the illegal crossings from Libya. Maybe if Malta became a Switzerland in the Mediterranean as DR Sant always wished then we would not have had this national crisis on our hands. But no point in living in the past now. Let's sort this problem out in the name of the national interest.
louise vella
Jan 18th 2009, 10:36
Dr Gonzi seems to hesitate between calling illegal immigration a challenge or a problem.
It has now become a crisis because of his lack of leadership on the matter and his wishy washy statements, like the one above: "Dr Gonzi said he expected the full support of all countries to tackle the immigration problem."
That's empty talk. Dr Gonzi should have the guts to say that Malta is determined not to let this invasion go on and that other European countries have the duty to help us protect our borders
because they are ultimately their borders. All illegal immigrants arriving inMalta have only one objective - to go to Britain or Germany or Sweden or France .or Italy or ... If this message is clearly stated it will be understod by the Maltese and the EU.
STEPHEN FARRUGIA
Jan 18th 2009, 09:52
Burden-sharing will not happen, so now what?