Malta, Italy pressure EU to act on illegal migration

Malta and Italy yesterday continued to exert more pressure on the EU and other member states to act concretely on the issue of illegal migration facing the EU's southern Mediterranean borders. Greece also added its weight complaining of the influx it was experiencing from its Turkish borders.

The issue was jointly raised by Malta and Italy following the recent spat between the two neighbouring countries over which of them should take the 140 illegal immigrants on board the cargo vessel Pinar E.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini presented a six-point plan to his colleagues during the monthly Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers, held in Luxembourg.

Mr Frattini held talks on illegal immigration with his Maltese counterpart, Tonio Borg before the council meeting.

He emphasised the need for the EU to address this problem immediately so the burden was shared. Later in the evening, in Brussels, the European Parliament's Committee for Civil Liberties accepted in principle the need to shift the EU's burden-sharing mechanism on migration from voluntary to compulsory.

Mr Frattini's plan included the proposals put by his Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni last week calling for a reinforcement of Frontex to be able to take care of detention centres and the repatriation of illegal immigrants, the inclusion of readmission agreements with countries of origin and enforced solidarity.

Dr Borg said that during his intervention he emphasised the need for the EU to speak also with one voice to Libya in a bid to endorse this country's cooperation on illegal immigration.

"During this discussion, both Malta and Italy tried to look at the future rather than referring to the recent incident over the Pinar E. While both are holding their positions, we want to see the EU involving itself more concretely to help us face the problem," Dr Borg said.