Plans for Immigration Commissioner welcomed
Plans announced by EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso for the nomination of a Commissioner with direct responsibilities for immigration were welcomed today by MEP Simon Busuttil.
In an address to the European Parliament before being re-elected for a second term, Barroso said that he would create a Commissioner responsible specifically for Internal Affairs and Immigration and a separate one responsible for Justice, Human Rights and Civil Liberties. Currently all these areas are covered by just one Commissioner.
Dr Busuttil, who leads the EPP group on justice and home affairs, called upon Mr Barroso to invest more energy on delivering a Europe of Justice, Freedom and Security.
"Europe is not just about the single market", he said, "There is also the citizenship dimension which is equally important." Dr Busuttil said that citizens were directly affected by issues such as citizens' rights, visas, free movement, the fight against criminality, terrorism and also the fight against illegal immigration.
He welcomed Mr Barroso's intention to appoint two separate Commissioners dealing with justice and human rights on the one hand and with internal affairs and immigration on the other, stating that this could bring about renewed energy in setting up a European space of justice, freedom and security.
He called on the Commission to team up with the European Parliament to put citizens at the centre of Europe. "Let's work for a Europe of the citizens; a Europe that defends citizens' rights, that protects their freedom and their security," Dr Busuttil concluded.
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d. borg
Sep 17th 2009, 10:02
The usual bla bla. In the meantime the illegal immigrants keep on coming and we have to accept them, house them, feed them, provide them with medical assistance and we pay our ever increasing taxes to finance them. To top it all they always claim they come from Somalia or Eritrea so we are lumped with them. The situation has become intolerable.
Chrissey Zammit
Sep 17th 2009, 09:02
Lets hope Simon Busittil,s comments are acted upon. SOMETHING needs to be done NOW to save Malta. Simon Busittil cannot do this on his own, he needs the citizens behind him 100%
C Farrugia
Sep 17th 2009, 08:34
Empty words by Maltese and European politicians. If it were not for the Italians and especially Roberto Maroni and Silvio Berlusconi and their policy of immediate repatriation we would be drowning in ILLEGAL immigrants. Because this is what they are. Anybody trying to enter a country without a passport or any form of Identity is breaking the law.
colin stanley
Sep 17th 2009, 00:48
Well done Dr. Busuttil, keep up the good work.don't give up, keep fighting for our rights.
colin stanley
Sep 16th 2009, 23:58
About time too. lets wait and see what effect it will have on Malta. Don't hold your breath. !!!!!