Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Maltese MEP attempts to block new Frontex rules
The regulations will place responsibility for rescued immigrants and asylum seekers on the country hosting the mission. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil has told the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee that the procedure used to draw up new guidelines for anti-immigration patrols are illegal and should not be approved.
Dr Busuttil, who is also his group's coordinator for the committee, decided to adopt such a stand following advice given by the EP's legal services section.
Speaking to The Sunday Times after the meeting, Dr Busuttil insisted the rules, which are not in Malta's interest, should be blocked.
"These new rules do not make sense and I have no intention of supporting them. In fact, I will do my best to have them rejected in the European Parliament," he said.
The guidelines, recently approved by the EU Council despite the objections of Malta and Italy, need the EP's consent to enter into force.
Intended to act as a new code of engagement for Frontex's patrol missions, the regulations will place responsibility for rescued immigrants and asylum seekers on the country hosting the mission.
For the past two years Malta has hosted the Frontex mission but has always maintained that immigrants found on the high seas should be disembarked at the closest safe port, in line with international conventions which Malta is party to. But on several occasions the rules of engagement sparked a rift between Malta and Italy.
Frontex wants the new rules to come into force before the next anti-migration patrol mission off Malta, scheduled to start in April. However, the new position adopted by Dr Busuttil may derail the process.
"According to EU procedure, the Frontex rules need the EP Committee's consent and if this is not given the guidelines will have to be scrapped," a spokesman for the EP said.
"The bold stance being taken by Dr Busuttil indicates that the European People's Party will try to block the rules. It now depends on the position taken by the other MEPs in the committee, particularly the Socialists and the Liberals," he explained.
Dr Busuttil said he would do his utmost to convince others that the proposed rules should be rejected, though he admitted it would be a difficult task.
"It will not be easy to muster a majority in parliament to reject them since the rules were already overwhelmingly adopted by the Council," he said.
Following the Council's approval of the new rules, Justice Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici had gone on record saying Malta would not participate in Frontex missions if the new rules were enforced.
The final decision by the Civil Liberties Committee is expected to be taken in two weeks' time.
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sean grima
Mar 9th 2010, 13:39
immigrants, most of whom are LEGAL, are here to stay, unless they choose to go elsewhere.
C.ZARB
Mar 8th 2010, 08:37
Frontex like Voluntary Burden Sharing had proved itself to be just another egg on the face of all Locals and immigrants who expect the government to come out with a solid solution. Its evident that no EU country is ready to help us on this problem and that playing nice will get us nowhere. We should get out from the Dublin treaty which is FORCING immigrants to stay here against their own will and forcing US to throw them into prison whenever they try to leave our shores.
colin stanley
Mar 7th 2010, 23:53
Can the labour party tell us, are the pl MEP's in agreemnt with Simon Busuttil on this matter or not,before the EU elections all the labour spoke against this invasion, what's happening now, why the silence !!!
lgalea
Mar 7th 2010, 21:58
I will only believe it when I see the last ILLEGAL immigrant leaving Malta, all ILLEGAL immigrants boats being pushed back to Libya and not a single ILLEGAL immigrant allowed to land in Malta.
E.Muscat
Mar 7th 2010, 19:22
Frontex is 80 million euro thrown down the drain.Australia just uses its navy to keep out illegal immigrants while the navies of the european mediterranean nations are twiddling their thumbs in port. Australia has guts but europe has to be politically correct !
The 80 million euro should be used to supply fuel and other requirements to the warships of Europe to patrol the mediterranean sea against traffickers and nations who want fervently to islamize Europe.
James Dimech
Mar 7th 2010, 12:14
@louise vella
I guess that Busuttil is really doing his best and we should be relieved that at least we have ONE MEP who is associating himself with this messy subject, even though it is one that costs him a lot politically since as you said it brings nothing but failure and anger from the electorate.
All the other MEPs are sitting pretty and choosing to tackle only populist subjects which earn them brownie points and clapping whilst avoiding important subjects such as this.
My criticism goes to the other 4 MEPs !
J Farrugia
Mar 7th 2010, 11:40
Louise, what are the others MEPs (the socialist ones doing to stop this rot? NOTHING!
At least someone IS doing what he preaches.
Louise Vella
Mar 7th 2010, 11:07
This is an exercise in political posturing by Dr Busuttil. “Look at me, how hard I’m trying”, he’s telling us, “but the odds are against me and I’m not likely to succeed”.
Fact is Dr Busuttil does not miss an opportunity to support the do-gooders in Malta and to plead for the rights of illegal immigrants, even stretching the rules if possible. He has often promised to find a solution to Malta’s illegal immigration problem thanks to his power in Brussels. Now he is preparing us for his next failure despite his “bold stance”. “But look, I’m trying! I’m doing my best. It’s all the fault of the Socialists and Liberals.”
Has Dr Busuttil ever spoken in favour of a robust FRONTEX operation, one that acts as a coastguard defending Europe’s southern shores from a massive influx of illegal immigrants coming by boat? When he does, we can listen to his excuses for his failure at the European Parliament.