Updated: Busuttil appointed EPP spokesman on European Asylum Support Office
PL denies Busuttil's claims
MEP Simon Busuttil has been appointed the European Popular Party group’s negotiator on the European Asylum Support Office, which the EU plans to establish by 2010.
In this capacity he will represent the centre-right group in negotiating the new law setting up the office. The Asylum Office will be set up to help improve the way in which EU rules on asylum are applied throughout the Union. It will offer practical cooperation on asylum to support Member States when they find themselves under particular migratory pressure.
"This office is of direct interest to countries, such as Malta, which face severe pressure from asylum seekers. As the spokesperson of the largest political group I will support this proposal and also put forward amendments to improve it.” Dr Busuttil said.
He rejected recent claims made by PL leader Joseph Muscat that PN MEPs did not support a Socialist proposal, three years ago, on a European Asylum Office. “This is not just false but also ridiculous. First of all, this proposal is not a Socialist discovery as Dr Muscat would have us believe. It is an EU initiative that goes back to the Hague Programme in 2004. So, as usual, the Labour Party is trying to steal credit for other people’s ideas.”
“Secondly, three years ago I supported a budget amendment proposed by Louis Grech on this office, even if plans were still vague because the matter was still being studied by the Commission. My support was also reported in the media; so it is incredible that the PL should now claim that I did not support Mr Grech,” Dr Busuttil said.
The Labour Party in a reaction said it could confirm that neither Dr Busuttil nor fellow PN MEP David Casa had taken part in the vote when the setting up of the immigration office came before the plenary session of the European Parliament. The PPE voted against. Thus, Mr Grech's proposal was not approved by qualified majority, despite finding majority support.
The PL said it would remain consistent and work for the setting up of the agency.