Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Malta does not budge and asks EU to act decisively
More than two hours of tête-à-tête discussions in Brussels yesterday night between the interior ministers of Malta and Italy did not bring to a close the recent spat between the two neighbouring countries following last week's Pinar E incident. Instead, both Malta and Italy stuck to their guns with no solution in sight on what shall happen if a similar incident occurs in the coming days.
During the talks, Malta's Interior Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bioinnici held to his bold stance refusing to discuss any concessions to Italy of Malta's Search and Rescue Region and reiterating the island's stand that illegal immigrants found in Malta's SAR have to be hosted by the closest safe port as per international law. At the same time Minister Mifsud Bonnici turned his guns onto the EU stating that Malta now expects to get concrete help from the Commission and the other EU member states even through "a compulsory burden sharing system".
"We have to stop hearing more words and rhetoric turn to action," he told a press conference in Brussels a few minutes before midnight in the presence of EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot and his Italian counterpart Roberto Maroni.
Minister Maroni also asked the Commission to come up with a concrete proposal in the coming weeks to make the other EU member states carry their part of the brunt of this problem.
At the same time, Minister Maroni said that the differences with Malta on the interpretation of international law rests, although he expressed hope that the EU acts fast so that similar incidents to the Pinar E will be settled through European action.
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GaleaL
Apr 24th 2009, 11:09
Raymond Gauci
We are getting results because everyone (except a few do-gooders) are united with the government which is a totally different situation from when there was a Labour Government which was constantly being undermined by the pn activists who were left at their posts. See today's other media to get your answer Raymond and read how a foreign office employee stationed in Libya was spying for the British Government when the Labour Government was fighting the British Government for our rights.
Joanne Micallef
Apr 24th 2009, 09:56
Unless all EU member states unite their forces to combat this phenomena, no solution will ever be found, which will mean that our country will have to keep accepting thousands of illegal immigrants yearly.
The only way this problem can ever be solved is if the EU manages to negotiate the opening of reception centers in stable African countries, where Africans can go and apply for asylum, and when later if granted, they can be safely flown or shipped to Europe.
In these reception centers, one can also open employment agencies, were even Africans that do not qualify for refugee status can find the opportunity to make it safely to Europe, with the added guarantee of having a secure income. Like this not only will Europe get the extra manpower needed to support the economy, but will also have the means to combat the black market.
Personally I find that this is the only way forward, it’s a win win situation for everyone. Needless to say, in order for this to work harsh penalties will have to be inflicted to those that are caught in Europe illegally.
Raymond Gauci
Apr 24th 2009, 09:49
This is a reply to who called us all MAKKU. This is the difference between PL and PN. One thinks the Maltese are makku and the other get results...
Very well Carm, You make us proud...