Immigration pilot project proposal in September - Barrot
The European Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot announced in the European Parliament this week he will be presenting the framework for a pilot project for a burden sharing mechanism which will be tailored for Malta.
He was reacting to a question put by Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil during the first meeting of the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee on Wednesday.
The committee was debating the Commission’s proposal for the so-called Stockholm Programme which is a new programme setting out priority actions for the EU to establish an area of freedom, justice and security.
Dr Busuttil, who was recently elected to lead the EPP group in this committee, called on the Commissioner to focus first and foremost on implementing measures which have already been adopted, such as the EU Immigration Pact and its Solidarity clause.
“During the past years we came up with a number of good initiatives. Whilst it is good to think ahead, it is important to first implement agreements that have already been adopted.” Dr Busuttil said.
“We must implement the Immigration Pact and we must put into operation the pilot project on burden sharing as quickly as possible” he insisted.
Replying, Mr Barrot acknowledged the importance of implementation and underlined his insistence on the need for solidarity between member states through the internal resettlement of migrants among EU countries.
He said that in September he will be presenting the framework for a pilot project for a burden sharing mechanism which will be tailored for Malta. This is the first such project of its kind. Mr Barrot said that this project would be operated on an experimental basis in the hope that it could eventually become a permanent instrument of EU solidarity.
Specific reference to such a burden-sharing mechanism is also made in the Stockholm Programme.
Mr Barrot also reiterated his support for strengthening Frontex and for the idea of establishing regional offices of the agency.
The Commissioner underlined the importance of cooperation with third countries, notably Turkey and Libya. He said that he was urging these countries to embark on patrols to bring illegal departures to a halt, to set up systems for readmission of illegal immigrants and to establish reception centres for asylum seekers in their countries.
During the debate the issue of Italy’s new policy of turning back migrants to Libya and its newly adopted law on security measures in the area of immigration were harshly criticised by Socialist MEPs who claimed that Italy was violating its obligations and the rights of migrants through these measures.
In response Commissioner Barrot noted that the Commission was studying the compatibility of Italy’s security package with European law, whilst it was also carrying out a survey with Italian authorities on the exact facts surrounding those incidents where it turned migrants back to Libya. He said that the Commission was now waiting for Italy’s response.
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Ivan Attard
Jul 26th 2009, 21:59
'During the debate the issue of Italy’s new policy of turning back migrants to Libya and its newly adopted law on security measures in the area of immigration were harshly criticised by Socialist MEPs who claimed that Italy was violating its obligations and the rights of migrants through these measures.'
...no wonder the Socialists got to eat dust in the last EP elections. As well as most Socialist and Leftist governments in Europe are poised for the exit door (apart from Malta, but hey , this is Mickey Mouse Country). As to what Italy may be doing wrong?? Italy is the ONLY country - through its rightist Berlusconi coalition who is doing things the way they should be to SAFEGUARD ITS SOREIGNITY AND BORDERS without giving a heck what the European socialists are are baying about. After all, what is the point of being part of the EU if you are constrained to put your pants down in the interests of 'European legality?'
The sooner our puny Gonzi takes note of this THE BETTER.
David Portelli
Jul 26th 2009, 21:14
This is the same story again and again,discussing but never given a STRONG sollution such as Italy did once and for all.The problem is that our government wants to appear nice in front of the Foreigners even if he have to break us all in pieces as we are with the Tax.The only solution stop them all from coming and if they land on our Island send them back.
Stephen Farrugia
Jul 26th 2009, 18:28
I suggest that the Socialists in Malta, work on telling their brothers to change their story or take the immigrants because I am sure that the leader of the PL will veto other laws of the EU, once he is prime minister.
Our national interest does come first and we do have a national security risk.
The Rightwing will make a coalition and agreement with all those that follow our political position regarding this issue, with one objective, to stop immigration.
Kenneth Galea
Jul 26th 2009, 18:26
@Raymond Sammut
Very impressive comment Raymond. The EU is NOT interested in stopping the illegal crossings from Libya. The UNHCR as usual manipulates the EU and get away with murder. The burden sharing is another fiasco like Frontex. It encourages would be illegal immigrants to leave Libya illegaly and flood Malta and Italy to start with. I never read about the EU or the UNHCR taking firm action against Libya if they fail to stop a single boatload of immigrants leaving its shores. It is very clear that the EU and the UNHCR embrace illegal immigration without showing any concern whatsoever to the consequences of the recipient country!!!! Barrot you lost any credibility, don't ever come to Matla again.
Raymond Sammut
Jul 26th 2009, 17:54
Malta has to leave the EU as I am confident that it will do eventually. The sooner it sets itself upon this path the better. The first step would be to ensure that Dr Gonzi does not serve a full term. Dr Gonzi has grossly failed the nation and should resign. It would also be good to see Italy leaving the EU so that Italy, Malta and Libya would be able to reach agreements without fetters from continental Europe.
In the meantime, I can see no reason as to why charges are not brought against Mr Barrot following the recent death that resulted from the latest illegal boat arrival at Marsascala. Mr Barrot is the person vested with the authority to stop illegal immigration into EU countries. Instead, in my view, he continues to condone illegal immigration by implementing conducive schemes such as burden sharing. EU laws appear to be inadequate and cannot bring Mr Barrot to justice while people continue to drown between Malta and Libya.
Jeremy Brown
Jul 26th 2009, 17:51
well done Mr.Barrot for your good coordination.
If each person is like Mr.Barrot he or she could understand that every other human life is as full of sorrows, or joys, or base temptations, of heartaches and of remorse as his own . . . how much kinder, how much gentler he would be.”
thanks and i hope that everything will be ok.
P Debono
Jul 26th 2009, 14:28
Well it looks like the MEP elections are over and Simon Busuttil is trying to look good with his EU counterparts. Meanwhile, the other candidates sitting on a goldmine funded by your truly's taxes are sitting pretty while we suffer in the real world.
Thank God the Socialists took a battering in the European elections because we would have been faced with an even larger problem than today.
lgalea
Jul 26th 2009, 13:19
BARROT YOU KNOW WHERE TO SHOVE YOUR BURDEN SHARING PROJECT.
THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO GET RID OF ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BY SENDING THEM BACK WHENCE THEY CAME FROM.
YOU CAN TAKE THEM ALL TO YOUR COUNTRY.
WE DO NOT WANT THEM HERE.
Mary Bugeja
Jul 26th 2009, 12:53
IN THE MEAN TIME THEY KEEP FLOODING MALTA and EUROPE
NONE OF EUROPE SHOULD PUT UP WITH ANY BURDEN
AFRICIANS SHOULD FIGHT FOR THIER COUNTRY NOT RUN AWAY
Charles Sammut
Jul 26th 2009, 12:25
"Burden sharing" is a ludicrous concept. The absurdity of it all lies in the fact that it will act as a magnet to attract and encourage more and more illegal immigrants towards our shores. It is now an established fact that for every 10 immigrants resettled in other EU countries, another 100 arrive in Malta.
Jacques Barrot has no democratic credentials. He is not elected. Even his dubious past casts a long, dark shadow on his integrity. Google him up together with that other Jacques, Chirac, I mean.
Stephen Farrugia
Jul 26th 2009, 11:27
I feel sick reading this news.
malcolm seychell
Jul 26th 2009, 11:27
Socialists never learn.
Italy is the only country in Europe who is doing the right thing