Illegal immigration a top priority - Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas
PN EP candidate Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas said that the solution to the challenging situation of illegal immigration should incorporate value towards human life, international solidarity, burden sharing, and, above all, a concrete action by Europe and neighbouring countries.
Dr Metsola Tedesco Triccas said that the Maltese are right to identify illegal immigration as a crucial electoral issue for the upcoming EP election. She said that the EU can play a better role which would make a difference, since it can help a lot in finding an effective and fair solution for this problem. "As a country on the EU frontier, Malta has the duty to keep insisting with the EU for it to offer proper assistance," Dr Metsola Tedesco Triccas said.
Dr Metsola Tedesco Triccas said that once towards the end of 2008 an agreement about the Immigration and Asylum Pact was reached, Malta needs to continue stressing the importance that what is on paper should be put into action by having and effective mechanism that makes burden sharing effectual. Moreover, she said, Frontex has to up its exercise to assist in keeping at bay illegal activities in the Mediterranean.
Referring to Libya, Dr Metsola Tedesco Triccas said that it too had an important role to play. The EU, she said, needed to provide Libya with technical and financial help so that it helps in fighting this issue.
Dr Metsola Tedesco Triccas stressed that PL leader Joseph Muscat and his party have to act responsibly and not take political advantage of this problem. She said that both the leader of opposition and the PL party itself should shoulder political responsibility and ensure that during the coming five years, their MEPs do their best so as not to commit mistakes when voting in the EP.
Dr Metsola Tedesco Triccas said that in the EP, Malta deserved to be represented by people who are responsible, capable of their role, and consistent in what they do. "These are the qualities of the candidates that the PN is putting forward for this Saturday's EP election," she said.
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Victor Pace
Jun 4th 2009, 11:07
I suggest that every citizen of Malta contests the next European Parliament elections because it seems that everyone is an expert in solving the problem of illegal immigration...and all the other problems which our country is currently facing.
Give chance to Ms RMTT. Let us elect someone new who can give an some new impetus in Europe.
Sandro Pace
Jun 4th 2009, 08:51
Dr MTT still believes that verbal insistence alone can convince member States to commit themselves to any form of significant burden sharing. Dr. Simon Busuttil's way already failed in such territory, if one does not swallow the fact that his reports are anything but binding. Perhaps MTT in her busy campaign failed to notice what the Dutch minister had to say.
Such candidates never have the guts to commit any real targets and deadlines. They wish to remain comfortable just by verbal commitments, the usual "I did my part but they didnt listen". It's safe, but most Maltese are tired of this attitude.
On the other hand such prospective MEPs are not tired of being taken for a ride (if ever they notice it). Or better, the benefits will hugely make for it.
Matthew Spagnol
Jun 4th 2009, 08:34
Agreed with Mr. Spiteri... if these people want to make a change, they should have done it years ago when the situation was not critical... also, have you noticed the roads are being fixed lately?. These guys really take elections seriously, sadly the open minded people have learned their tricks.
Another beautiful show of how much these people can take their job to their country seriously.
lgalea
Jun 4th 2009, 07:28
Too Little, Too Late.
The parties are talking about the illegal immigrants because of the housands of signatures being collected by the Campaign for National Independence www.cnimalta.org CNI
Joe Xuereb
Jun 4th 2009, 01:03
Very good at platitudes and spin. After years of playing down the problem, and suddenly Dr. Metsola TT wakes up to, in her opinion, the sabotaging for its own ends the PL who, she says, must act responsibly and not take advantage of the problem. MPs anywhere are in a position of power. Having attained this they are in no hurry to jeopardise their 'achievement' by being, and more importantly seeming to be, anything other than self-seeking bureaucrats. This is why voting, although an obligation, is also very difficult. Vote for what?
charles zammit
Jun 3rd 2009, 23:22
This problem did not become top priority today mrs metsola so where were you all these years. Can you just provide anything tangible to show that you were out there in the power corridors trying to solve this problem. Have you ever been to detention centres, have you ever visited working sites were these modern day slaves are employed by unscrupulous maltese sometimes on government tenders, have you ever protested that these human beings are used by irresponsible employers to diminish the working conditions of the maltese workers. Are you so naïve as to think that libya will be a willing partner and does the eu have to provide of all things financial help to this oil rich country come on
Alex Spiteri
Jun 3rd 2009, 20:53
same rhetoric arguments as all other MLPN candidates who are simply using the issue to gain a few votes from some headless chickens!
i wonder why 5 years ago u didn't mentioned the issuse at all?!
J.Spiteri
Jun 3rd 2009, 18:27
'Dr. M T T said that the Maltese are right to identify illegal immigration as a crucial electoral issue'. Dear Dr.MTT, for years, WE Maltese have been trying in vain to bring the matter to the party in government, i.e. YOUR party, the PN, with little or no success at all. Suddenly, as if this phenomenon has just recently hit our country, your party, and all others contesting for the EU elections, have made a vote catcher out of this topic. Who do you think you and the PN are kidding? The only ones who have been hammering for years the consequences our country would face because of this invasion were the AN and Mr. Lowell, and neither of them was taken seriously. My guess is that once the EU elections are over, we shall have more holiday makers from the south.
Margaret Richards
Jun 3rd 2009, 17:52
I love reading Dr. Roberta's features. Objective, realistic and down to earth. Also a very important aspect - no racism or xenophobia. Well done Dr. Roberta. Also let's hope more women candidates from both parties will take your cue. I wish you luck.