Christian Peregin
EU immigration meeting in June 'a first' - Gonzi
After you... Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi (right) making way for European Council President Herman Van Rompuy before the press conference at Castille yesterday. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.
Climate change and immigration were on the agenda of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy during a whirlwind visit to Malta yesterday.
"This is my second time in Malta. I came once in 2004, as a free man," he joked, during a joint press conference with Dr Gonzi at Castille.
Reading prepared text, Mr Van Rompuy praised the "progressive" discussion he had with Dr Gonzi, where they spoke about the EU's two biggest challenges: climate change and the economic crisis. The issues will be discussed in greater detail next month during an informal meeting of the EU's heads of states and of government.
Dr Gonzi took the opportunity to explain Malta's "special situation" regarding illegal immigration, stressing that the island was receiving a disproportionate number of asylum seekers.
Mr Van Rompuy said migration was a concern not just for Malta but for the whole EU.
"The European Council has repeatedly discussed this sensitive issue but a lot remains to be done and we need to continue examining these issues in the Council in a spirit of solidarity," Mr Van Rompuy said.
During the Council meeting in June, the Immigration and Asylum Pact would be evaluated for the first time, Mr Van Rompuy said.
Dr Gonzi welcomed such a meeting dedicated to immigration as "a first", adding this could become an annual appointment. "We have managed to place this enormous challenge on the permanent agenda," he said proudly.
Dr Gonzi said his meeting confirmed the institutional issues of the EU had been closed and the institutions were now able to focus on economic challenges and opportunities.
On climate change, Mr Van Rompuy said the EU had to continue being a driving force. "There has been a lot of criticism about the outcome of the Copenhagen summit but, let us be clear, without the Union the outcome in Copenhagen would have been much worse," he said.
His visit to Malta was part of a tour of EU capital cities. He flew in from Athens and then headed to Berlin for talks during a working dinner with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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sean grima
Jan 15th 2010, 08:34
If at all, the money should be used to help african countries improve their situation - that is the only long term solution to the 'problem' of immigration!!
lgalea
Jan 14th 2010, 21:58
How about this Gonzi and Van Rompuy.
Frontex budget (remember that it is not concerned only with the Mediterranean).
Resources for 2010 will not increase from last year and will actually DECREASE.
Budget allocated for land operations €4.25 million
Budget allocated for air borders €2.69
For operations at sea the budget was €36.1 million. For 2010 it is €26.5 million.
Total Frontex budget shrunk from €88.8 million to €87.9 million
Budget breakdown 65% for operations, 35% for administrative expenditure.
The agency has a staff of 222 persons.
The agency staff sitting pretty in their offices are eating more than one third of the budget.
IF THESE SUMS WERE USED TO REPATRIATE THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THE WHOLE OF EUROPE WOULD BE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION ESPECIALLY MALTA.
Denis Catania
Jan 14th 2010, 18:57
We need action on the illegal immigration problem, ASAP
louise vella
Jan 14th 2010, 15:08
2.
“Dr Gonzi took the opportunity to explain Malta's "special situation" regarding illegal immigration”
Did Dr Gonzi tell him that he has been preaching ‘Christian values’ to the Maltese? And that he has not thanked Berlusconi who by pushing back the boats to Libya has saved Malta and Italy from the influx of thousands of illegal immigrants?
“Mr Van Rompuy said migration was a concern not just for Malta but for the whole EU.
"The European Council has repeatedly discussed this sensitive issue but a lot remains to be done and we need to continue examining these issues in the Council”
Has repeatedly discussed this sensitive issue! Malta is still burdened with thousands of illegal immigrants. Yes, a lot remains to be done and the European Council will “continue examining these issues”!!
“Dr Gonzi welcomed such a meeting dedicated to immigration as "a first" …"We have managed to place this enormous challenge on the permanent agenda," he said proudly.”
Dr Gonzi will be right to be proud when he takes the bull by the horns and does something concrete to stop the influx and send those illegal immigrants still in Malta back to their home countries.
louise vella
Jan 14th 2010, 15:07
1.
“we need to continue examining these issues in the Council in a spirit of solidarity”, Mr Van Rompuy said.
Yes, indeed, Mr Van Rompuy. In the meantime solidarity has been only a one way street, being shown by the Maltese to illegal immigrants. For example, on Tuesday, 12th January 2010, The Times had an article “Mater Dei cost €20 million more to run than St Luke's”
(http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100112/local/mater-dei-cost-euro-20-million-more-to-run-than-st-lukes).
The last paragraph read:
“The figures also revealed an increase of €7.6 million in expenses related to Malta's expenditure on third country nationals and refugees when compared to 2004. In 2008, €9.1 million was spent.”
These are the figures for 2008. Figures for 2009 and 2010 must be higher. Half the new cases of HIV/AIDS in Malta involve refugees and illegal immigrants from sub Saharan Africa where this condition is unfortunately very widespread. Tubercolosis has also reappeared in Malta, starting in its dormant form among officers working in detention centres and others coming in touch with illegal immigrants. The Maltese are showing solidarity by their taxes and by taking risks. It’s time other Europeans show solidarity with us.
M Tagliana
Jan 14th 2010, 11:05
The EU can keep "examining" forever, but what the PEOPLE of Malta need is CONCRETE ACTION like that of the US. Thankyou and goodbye... and forget us nots.