Kouchner on illegal immigration

Europe needs to share the enormous burden of illegal immigrants that Malta is facing, French Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner said yesterday in a visit here.

Malta is facing a huge problem and the burden of illegal migration needs to be shared equally between the South and North of Europe, he said.

During a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, Mr Kouchner admitted the implementation of the recently-signed immigration pact was not going to be easy but the members have to be tough.

When asked about the Union of the Mediterranean, Mr Kouchner said it was a great success even though there are problems at a political level when implementing the promised projects.

However, these problems were being tackled, he said. He also spoke about the ceremony held in the morning at the old university where he was awarded an honorary degree in Bachelor of Science and described it as "very moving".

The honorary degree was awarded for his humanitarian activities, particularly in the setting up of Médicins sans Frontières and Médecins du Monde and his positive contribution to numerous humanitarian missions around the world.

Dr Borg thanked the French government for their promise to take 80 migrants with international protection status. This is the highest number of immigrants ever taken by a European country, he said.

Discussions will continue at a European and bilateral level, Dr Borg said.

Illegal migration, trade and the cultural and historical ties between France and Malta were among the issues discussed during a meeting between Dr Borg and Mr Kouchner.

Trade and business relations between the two countries were also discussed, highlighting the substantial amount of French investment in Malta. Both sides discussed the current global financial slowdown and its effects on the economy.

The two ministers also discussed the tourism industry, which registered an increase of eight per cent in 2008 when compared to 2007.

Earlier in the day, Mr Kouchner paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. In the evening, he attended a concert at the French embassy in which Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, Muslin and Christian artists performed.