Possibility of EU having an immigration commissioner

A specific portfolio dealing with immigration may be introduced in the incoming European Commission, according to hints dropped by José Manuel Barroso.

Mr Barroso, who is meeting MEPs to rally support for a second five-year term, indicated he may set up a portfolio dedicated exclusively to the immigration problem. If it materialises this will be good news for Malta.

At the moment, the issue is dealt with as part of a much larger portfolio incorporating justice, freedom and security. The post is occupied by Frenchmen Jacques Barrot, who is not expected to serve after October.

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil, who spoke during a meeting yesterday, criticised the Commission president for not listing the fight against illegal immigration among his priorities for the next five years.

In a 41-page document published last week, Mr Barroso sidelined the fight against illegal immigration and instead focused on the economy and unemployment as his priorities for the next term.

Dr Busuttil, the European People's Party's main spokesman on immigration issues, said: "I am concerned you are not giving sufficient priority to the fight against illegal immigration in your political programme and I want assurances". He added that while Mr Barroso's document addressed illegal immigration, it focused on initiatives on legal migration and integrating migrants in terms of political precedence.

Dr Busuttil, whose objections were echoed by other MEPs, said the fight against illegal immigration was a precondition for other European initiatives. "We are open to discuss initiatives on legal migration but only if Europe first proves effective in combating illegal immigration," he insisted.

Mr Barroso sought to reassure MEPs that the fight against illegal immigration and the criminal networks profiting from it was, and would continue to be, a matter of high political priority for the incoming Commission.

Mr Barroso said this would be reflected in his choice of commissioners and the dossiers they were assigned, hinting that a commissioner would be specifically nominated for the immigration portfolio.

Mr Barroso is scheduled to meet all the European Parliament political groups this week to promote his programme and win their support.

On Thursday, the EP will decide whether to approve Mr Barroso's second term in a vote at next week's plenary in Strasbourg.