Saturday, 31st October 2009 - 10:18CET

Very little concrete progress in illegal migration talks between EU, Libya

Ivan Camilleri

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A year of technical negotiations between the EU and Libya on illegal migration has seen little concrete progress and Tripoli still keeps Brussels guessing on what it wants to achieve and when.

External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero Waldner this week admitted that talks between the two sides were still ongoing and there was no idea when the discussions could be wrapped up.

"The fifth round of negotiations is due to take place in early November 2009 in Brussels. At this stage, all the chapters have been addressed and several articles have already been agreed. However, it is yet too early to foresee the end of the negotiations," she said.

She was answering a question by Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil on the status of negotiations.

In the summer of 2008, the EU was given a mandate by member states to start negotiations with Muammar Gaddafi's government in a bid to reach a framework cooperation agreement on various issues including migration.

Libya is the only north African country still without this kind of agreement with the EU.

Before talks started, Brussels had also announced it was prepared to offer financial assistance to Tripoli to facilitate more cooperation. Despite this offer, Libya is still dragging its feet to make progress.

Ms Ferrero Waldner told Dr Busuttil that Brussels even suggested ad hoc cooperation for the short term, so there would be no need to wait for the final general agreement to move things ahead but there had been no response so far.

"The Commission is ready to assist the Libyan authorities to enhance their capacities in order to prevent the entry into, and exit from, their territory of irregular migrants as well as improving the treatment of migrants in the respect of human rights and international law and to facilitate the identification of and assistance to migrants in need of international protection."

Despite this extended offer, the EU is still awaiting a reply from Tripoli four months down the line.

"The letter to Libya was sent by Commissioner (Jacques) Barrot and the Swedish Presidency but we are still awaiting a reaction," Ms Ferrero Waldner said.

Despite various attempts by the EU to cooperate with Libya on illegal migration in the past years, Tripoli has been reluctant to join these efforts. Libya has so far refused offers by the EU's border control agency Frontex to take part in joint anti-migration patrols in the Mediteraranean together with Malta and other member states.

The North African country is considered to be the main source of illegal immigrants crossing the Mediterranen towards Europe. Almost all the illegal immigrants landing on Malta's shores depart on boats from Libyan ports.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, March 21, 2010. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Joe Xuereb(on 2/11/09)

2) cont./
It sounds like the EU is resigned to the long-term invasion but, for the moment at least, it is reluctant to appear to share the burden. It is not unlike that comfortable feeling where, if a problem is not constantly in my face, somehow I can pretend the problem is not there, that it might even go away. In the meantime, the EU seems to be saying, Malta is the natural stop from Libya. Let people be processed there. I dare say Malta might be paid handsomely for accepting this role but what a price to pay in terms of the degradation of the local 'scene'. That would leave the thousands granted asylum who will trickle steadily into Europe. Horrific but, by now, acceptable. And of course the influx from North Africa via Libya will not cease. It will be like a nightmare that never ceases. I am deeply distressed, and grateful too, that I am not in my home country. But life is not exactly a piece of cake here (UK) either. You see this problem is not only Malta's. It is spread all over Europe. Europa, quo vadis?

Joe Xuereb(on 2/11/09)

1) And still the apologists for illegal immigrants voice their Christian values. And who can blame THEM when a stalwart (I think) of the church stated not so long ago that, and I quote, 'Muslim leaders must decide how many mosques they need in Malta' (more or less saying that the Maltese would resent not being allowed to pray so therefore, the Maltese must not prevent anyone from praying):

http://www.timesofmalta.com/blogs/view/20090509/fr-joe-borg/should-there-be-more-mosques-in-malta

It sounds like the EU is resigned to the long-term invasion but, for the moment at least, it is reluctant to appear to share the burden. It is not unlike that comfortable feeling where, if a problem is not constantly in my face, somehow I can pretend the problem is not there, that it might even go away. A bit like waking up in a sweat one morning and you realise it was a nightmare, but only a dream. cont./1)

Ludwig Flask(on 31/10/09)

The problem of illegal migration is a never ending story, why? for the simple reason that Colonel Gaddafi will never forget the harm done to both his family and his people decades ago! This is a well premeditated revenge on EU and all other countries whom abided against him. By joining the EU Malta got indirectly involved in the pot! If I were him I would have done the same! To try to understand this reasoning, we can see similar situations locally, lately the appology issue to the Fenech Adamis from PL (one side demanding an apology, and same side not accepting it). Same situation for all other Maltese whom suffered some sort of harm because of political colour. It's hard to forget political nonsense, no matter being christian, muslim or other!

victor pulis(on 31/10/09)

And I thought the big wigs in Brussels were more clever. Or perhaps there's a game going on between muammar and the EU. When it was reported that libya had agreed to take part in the frontex exercise I commented that I would believe it when I see it. I still haven't seen it. with gaddafi you never know where you stand and if there are those who think that he has repented and come in from the cold I say think again. His aim to flood Europe with muslims is still very much at the forefront of his policy.

Denis Catania(on 31/10/09)

Waiting for the EU to strike deal with the EU. Lol. We better hope the EU doesn't give Malta to Libya as a gift as we are nothing but an unimportant rock for the EU.

c scerri(on 31/10/09)

For Gaddafi to move he must have the problem in his contry so We just have to manage to bring them back to him the way how they used to go to Italy from here in the past

Joe Calleja(on 31/10/09)

For curiosity's sake, isn't that Popeye Village in the background? If so, when did Illegals arrive there? And how come the sailor is not wearing protective gloves? As far as Ghaddafi goes, you might as well thoss fl-ilma.

colin stanley (on 31/10/09)

Wake up all you polititians, from which ever party you come from, it's not good enough ,showing yourselves on tv, kissing little children you don't even know, as if you care about them, if you did you should be very worried about the kind of Malta you are going to leave to them ,our culture and RELIGON, WHICH YOU ARE ALWAYS BOASTING ABOUT.

E. Azzopardi(on 31/10/09)

Perhpas Libya is waiting for that famous "bridge" between the EU and Libya through Malta!
That famous bridge, (between Europe and North Africa) we were being told that would come about when Malta joined the EU. How times changes and in such a very short time.

C.ZARB(on 31/10/09)

The EU has no incentive in solving this problem expecially now that Italy have found an efficient way to combat illegal immigration from reaching mainland Europe. It cheaper for the EU to allow Malta to become the New Ellis island and give perks to our politicians (like for example a 6 MEP seat) then seriously re-invest in Africa. Don't worry though, if one of the EU countries happen to need some cheap labour then they can always come to Malta and pick the very best.

Stephen Farrugia(on 31/10/09)

The next we will hear is " do you mind if you leave your country because we need some more space". The man with the walking stick will be asking " who is the clown now ?"

Lawrence Martinelli(on 31/10/09)

With GOOD friends North and South =
South = Col. Gaddafi having his revenge for Malta joining the E.U. ?
North = Signor Frattolini and Italian TV and Press ALL showing off.......
( How good we are......Rescueing boat people that Malta ignores ) :
Is it not about time Malta seeks a helping hand from the English
speaking world ?

C.R.Taliana(on 31/10/09)

Col. Gheddafi just repeated what he already predicted more than 20 years ago in his recent speech.

Charles Sammut(on 31/10/09)

It takes two to tango. There is no real resolve on the part of the EU to stem the flow. It is part of its overall long term strategy. Dilute western culture as much as possible so that it will be easier to impose its diktat. With the inevitable sharp rise in crime and terrorism, a police state will be justified. This has already happened in the UK. With the excuse of terrorism, the UK is a police state. This state has been brought about by uncontrolled immigration and a dubious foreign policy.

On the part of Libya, Gaddafi makes no secret of his ambitions, a Muslim Europe by the end of the century, probably much earlier.

So with Brussels and Tripoli both pushing the illegal immigration agenda, come next election, we must consider our political choices very shrewdly.

Joseph Cauchi(on 31/10/09)

We must all keep in mind what Col. Gaddafi said during his speech at the United Nations just a few weeks ago, whereby he hinted that Europe had an obligation towards Africa due to its colonial past and that a sum of I don’t know of how many billions has to be paid to African states and that these African migrants have a legitimate right to go to Europe.

With this type of mind-set of Col. Gaddafi, I find little hope of ever Libya coming to some sort of agreement with the EU which will be of benefit to Europe.

We all have watched the clips on You-Tube which demonstrate what exactly Libya and Col. Gaddafi have in mind and that is the ISLAMISATION of Europe!

Our negotiators in Brussels must be very naïve to believe that there could be some sort of agreement with Libya when the above is very obvious; or is it possible that this is exactly what our EU negotiators want for Europe by playing into Gaddafi’s hands and also for the sake of “political correctness”?

I shudder to think likewise!

JC.

louise vella(on 31/10/09)

Of course, we are the pigeons. We are the ones who let our country fill up with illegal immigrants. Libya wants to get rid of them. Our EU partners are still thinking about taking a few here and there. And Dr Gonzi goes on preaching about Christian values and Malta's religious obligations to take all comers. When will Dr gonzi step his foot down? When will he put the national interest first above all other considerations? When will he listen to the voice of the common men and women of this island, who have enough of seeing their country being invaded and overwhelmed?

Mario Attard(on 31/10/09)

Well it s very clear that Gaddafi is no hurry to co-operate with the EU. Meanwhile thousands invade Europe and many lose their lives. And why is Gaddafi being so reluctant to put an end to this invasion? Well, religion is surely a major factor. Infact, recently, during a public speech, Gaddafi said, that with god's will, Europe will be conquered by Islam without the use of weapons.

Very little concrete progress in illegal migration talks between EU, Libya

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