Italian MEP calls on EU to make good for 'Malta's failure'

An Italian MEP is calling on the European Commission to increase Italy's illegal immigration funds to "make good for Malta's failure" to deal with its international obligations.

Nello Musumeci, from Catania and founder member of the right wing party La Destra, accused Malta of acting "scandalously" on the Pinar E incident, which saw the two countries arguing over who should take the 140 illegal immigrants rescued by the Turkish vessel.

Through a parliamentary question submitted to EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot, Mr Musumeci asked the Commission to condemn the Malta's actions.

"Malta failed to rescue the desperate people aboard the Turkish cargo ship. This is the latest scandal where Malta failed to provide assistance. Although the cargo ship was in the Maltese search and rescue area, it was instructed to sail to Lampedusa, on the grounds that it was the closest island with a safe port," he claimed.

Repeating Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni's recent accusations, the Sicilian MEP accused Malta of 670 instances where it failed to provide assistance and Italian airborne and naval rescue services were obliged to step in.

"Would the Commission not agree that it should condemn the behaviour of the Maltese government?" Mr Musumeci asked, arguing that Italy expected to be financially compensated due to Malta's "failures".

Malta rebutted these accusations and gave details showing the contrary. In a dossier submitted to Brussels, which The Sunday Times has seen, Malta insisted it was not dumping illegal immigrants on Italy.

It said it had been at the receiving end of a significant influx of immigrants since 2002, when more than 1,600 reached the island. The phenomenon persisted, with 2008 being a record year with more than 2,700 arrivals.

Malta also rejected the impression the Italian government was giving that it was receiving EU funds for its vast search and rescue area.

According to the dossier, compiled by Malta's Permanent Representation to the EU, Malta got less funds than Italy despite having an area as big as the territory of the UK.

The Armed Forces of Malta, in view of its responsibility for the EU's and Malta's external border maritime surveillance, received help in the form of co-financing for taking part in Frontex patrols and for projects under the External Borders Fund. The figures presented by Malta showed Italy's claims were frivolous.

"Contrary to what has been implied, Malta's allocation of the External Border Fund is not determined on the basis of the length and breadth of its search and rescue region, but rather on the basis of the outer limit of high threat areas determined by recent operational history," the dossier said.

Malta told the EU that the allocation of the funds was based on the operational area for 2004 and 2005, which produced areas of 38,018 square kilometres and 33,333 square kilometres respectively. The island's search and rescue area is much bigger, consisting of 250,000 square kilometres. Malta was allocated an indicative amount of €112 million from the External Borders Fund while Italy was allocated €211 million making it the fund's second highest beneficiary.

In 2007, Malta was allocated 3.9 per cent of the financing available under this fund, while Italy received 17.2 per cent. Last year, Malta received 5.6 per cent, while Italy got 15.2 per cent, according to the dossier.

Although Foreign Minister Tonio Borg described the Pinar E incident as a "disagreement between friends", the way Malta and Italy were arguing over illegal immigration, many believe it was much more serious than a "friendly match".

The observers were also foreseeing that due to the rigid positions held by both EU member states, the issue could soon turn out to be an "open war" that would play out before the international courts.