Asylum Pact is basis for further action

I refer to the letter by Marija Falzon under the title Muscat Proven Right On Burden Sharing (May 13).

It is worth reminding readers that prior to the Pact on Immigration and Asylum, the European Union did not have a document - let alone a policy - that spoke of the principle of solidarity between member states on matters related to immigration.

The Pact is, in fact, the document that primarily put the issue of immigration at the top of the EU's agenda and secondly inserted the concept of burden-sharing as part of the EU's framework. Both points are to Malta's merit. Had it not been for our continuous efforts these would have never been achieved.

Moreover, since the Pact was approved late last year, the Maltese government moved proactively and as fast as possible to ensure that this Pact is brought to act as expeditiously as possible.

It must also be emphasised that without this Pact, the governments of Malta and Italy would not have had the basis on which to press the European Commission to start the long and difficult road for an effective obligatory mechanism on member states.

Had the government heeded to the Leader of the Opposition's call to veto the Pact, it would have been impossible to act on this issue. The recommended veto would have amounted to shooting ourselves in the foot.