EU immigration plan sidelines burden sharing
The Southern Mediterranean states’ plea for burden sharing within the EU on the issue of immigration has been sidelined in a five-year legislative action plan presented by the European Commission.
Although the European Commission and several member states have pledged their support for the concept of burden sharing, the Commission’s action plan gives little importance to it and does not present any concrete initiatives in the area.
Instead, the emphasis is shifted to granting more rights to immigrants through facilitating entry into the EU, particularly for employment purposes, and the need for more standards when hosting those seeking asylum.
The action plan was presented by Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Justice Commissioner Vivian Reding. It follows last December’s approval of a 170-proposal blueprint known as the Stockholm programme, which identifies a number of priorities until 2014.
However, it fails to mention one of the areas on which Malta and Italy insisted upon during the negotiations over this document – the need to put in place concrete burden-sharing mechanisms, such as a permanent EU-wide resettlement programme for refugees. Instead, the plan only mentions the “continuation of current initiatives”.
Last year, under former Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot, the Commission had started an experimental resettlement programme, specifically designed for Malta’s needs so other member states could, voluntarily, take refugees “stuck” on the islands. The Commission was offering financial compensation for every refugee resettled.
The initiative did not reap the desired results as few refugees were resettled. However, Malta was hoping the programme would be developed into a full-blown permanent project.
Instead, the document states: “In the years to come, the Commission will continue this work, with the aim to create a common EU asylum system that treats people with dignity and full respect for the fundamental rights and with a strong focus on solidarity.”
It continues: “There is also an ongoing pilot project (Malta’s) which aims at facilitating the resettlement of beneficiaries of international protection from those countries having asylum systems that currently are under pressure.”
On the other hand, the Commission’s action plan prioritises the facilitation of “entry of immigrants into the EU”.
Clearing the conditions of entry and residence of third country nationals (immigrants) for purposes of seasonal employment and intra-corporate transfer will be given priority, with a legislative proposal to be presented later this year.
According to Ms Malmström, it is obvious that the EU, despite the current economic crisis, has a long-term demographic challenge which has to be addressed.
“Even though the unemployment rates are high, we also have an ageing population. If we are to secure our welfare, we need to open more legal ways into Europe,” she said.
In the context of the current economic crisis, it was particularly important to avoid employers from one member state competing unfairly with their counterparts from another member state, due to different national regimes for employing third country seasonal workers, she added.
Introducing the joint processing of asylum applications within the EU is also among the priorities that Brussels will be working on.
The proposal aims to ensure all asylum seekers are treated in a fair and equal manner wherever they make their request for asylum in the EU, and to enhance the efficiency of the EU asylum system.
“In 2011, the Commission will establish a mechanism to review the member states’ national asylum systems and identify the issues related to capacities which will enable member states to support each other in building capacity,” the Commission said.
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S. Calleja
Apr 22nd 2010, 17:27
Maybe the EU should learn something from Australia. Down under they have the same problems, but they solve it by carefully choosing the immigrants. Only highly qualified persons or those with jobs highly in demand can migrate to Oz. They must also have a working knowledge of English and pass strict medical tests before even thinking about migrating there. So, true, immigration can solve some problems but it depends on how it is implemented.
cinzia grech
Apr 22nd 2010, 16:44
simply frightening. in reality WE are the minority.
Denis Catania
Apr 22nd 2010, 15:49
Gonzi open up your eyes and ears.
Louise Vella
Apr 22nd 2010, 15:02
Sweden is shaping up as the main opponent to Malta's interests in the EU. All it does is meant to increase Malta's burden of illegal immigrants, without any thought as to whether we can carry the burden. At the same time it is the first to send back illegal immigrants to Malta even though they dearly wish to settle in Sweden, which they regard as heaven on earth. The question arises: what has Malta ever done to damage Sweden's interests for Sweden to take the lead in damaging us?
Louise Vella
Apr 22nd 2010, 14:53
Now Cecilia Malmstrong's Swedish agenda is more than clear. The EU should encourage the entry of immigrants from outside the EU, but it should not take refugees and illegal immigrants from Malta, even though they are unwanted by Malta and they themselves want to go to some country like Sweden! This is shameful. It shows without a shadow of doubt that only Berlusconi's policy of pushing the boats back to Libyan waters offers a solution to Malta's problem with illegal immigrants. It's high time Dr Gonzi declared clearly and unequivocally that it supports Italy's pushback policy. It's high time we did our best to join in this policy. Otherwise with the likes of the Swede Cecilia Malmstrom we can only expect the problem and the burden of illegal immigrants to continue growing.
Sean Grima
Apr 23rd 2010, 09:47
you conveniently omit to mention the fact that berlusconi's policy is being challenged in the courts as being in breach of law.
Stephen Koludrovic
Apr 22nd 2010, 14:41
Those 500 immigrants that wished for a better life in Cecilias country must be very disappointed with her remarks.
Charles Sammut
Apr 22nd 2010, 13:45
"........the Commission’s action plan prioritises the facilitation of “entry of immigrants into the EU”."
This is the only way to succed in de-nationalising European countries. Only then will the European Soviet Union wield unfettered control over its minions.
Now for a rhetorical question. Who do you trust more, Gonzi or Lowell?
Mario Attard
Apr 22nd 2010, 13:23
There goes another dead end. First Frontex, which ended up being a ferry srevice. Now burden sharing!
So all the millions of euros (tax payer's money) spent on these two failures, were wasted. The EU continues to prove that it is one, big, Failure, apart of course, for those Eurocrats who are getting richer minute after minute, hour after hour! L-aqwa li jghajjtu, VIVA l-EU u jxerrju l-bandiera...ehhh kemm hawn bhahen!! Dal li tizra..tahsad.
Sean Grima
Apr 22nd 2010, 13:22
Whilst agreeing with the aim to create a common EU asylum system that treats people with dignity and full respect for the fundamental rights and with a strong focus on solidarity, this needs to be an EU-wide project - otherwise the obvious consequence is that the states where most immigrants arrive will have to tackle the issue on their own. however, in no way should these internal squabbles result in denying immigrants the chance to improve their condition.
Marvin Mizzi
Apr 22nd 2010, 13:04
Even though the unemployment rates are high, we also have an ageing population. If we are to secure our welfare, we need to open more legal ways into Europe,” she said.
What a great social the great EU is giving us ... let Europe be invade and then say thankyou as you ar being garanteed yu welfare ........ what welfare when everything is given to the invaders.............. it is not anymore a matter of helping those in need but it is time to say we are fed up of promises and of having our nation being rediculed........ now we are really seeing what was really meant but the immigration pact..... and byy bye the VOLUNTARY burden sharing...... Lets be serious...............
Simon Ciantar
Apr 22nd 2010, 12:57
Just another confirmation of EU hypocricy on the issue of Illegal Immigration - now let us see Gonzi trying to defend this one ! - Mr Prime Minister when your smiling and eating in the Corridors of Brussels just remember who's interests you are supposed to be defending !
Stephen Farrugia
Apr 22nd 2010, 12:32
Lowell warned us years ago that Burden Sharing will never work. 5 years lost chasing a futile dream.
Mario Ciappara
Apr 22nd 2010, 12:23
@ Ms. Malmström
Quoting: “Even though the unemployment rates are high, we also have an ageing population. If we are to secure our welfare, we need to open more legal ways into Europe,” she said.
So why didn't your country set an example and integrate those immigrants who made it to Sweden but instead has sent them back to Malta a month ago? - http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100321/local/sweden-orders-return-of-550-immigrants-to-malta
Or did they not qualify to be part of this proposal :
The proposal aims to ensure all asylum seekers are treated in a fair and equal manner wherever they make their request for asylum in the EU, and to enhance the efficiency of the EU asylum system.
One questions the credibility of your statements...
Clive Mercieca
Apr 22nd 2010, 12:22
As far as I'm concerned, I regret to say that there's just one answer: to vote a far right party in the next elections. This goes against my principles, but since there are no values left in Europe except that of one's personal gains, I'm going with the flow, and the principles are going out of the window, and like everyone else all I'm going to care about is my pocket and my direct personal interests.
Anthony Formosa
Apr 22nd 2010, 12:17
How many millions did the Frontex costs to the taxpayers? How much money from taxpayers did the government spent and still spending on illegal immigration?
Terence Mercieca
Apr 22nd 2010, 12:05
GOOD BYE BURDEN SHARING PROPOSAL.
Better start sending off the immigrants back to their countries
C Cassar
Apr 22nd 2010, 11:32
So where exactly does Ms Malmström actually live? Does she live in an immigrant community? Does she even have any immigrants in her neighbourhood? I doubt it very much.
Again, an EU commisioner who lives in a bubble, hugely overpaid, pays no tax as an employee of the EU and thinks that she can dictate to people she has never met about the conditions of their own community.
Maybe people such as Ms Malmström should be forced to live in an inner city European suburb that's full of immigrant ghettos for a minium of 5-10 years in order to justify their over paid and over powered positions. Oh, and also pay taxes like the majority of other EU citizens.
Malta should decide for itself on this issue and if threatened by the Europen Court then so what? it takes years to get to a point of any fine and meanwhile Malta would have saved €100's of millions of Euros and improved it's local environment for it's own legal citizens by placing controls on unwanted people turning up without any legal right to impose themselves on the most densley populated nation in Europe..
John Azzopardi
Apr 22nd 2010, 11:30
The bottom line is this. You people are on your own. You follow our laws and directives, but it's your problem how to deal with the issue. That is the message to everyone government. Now, for the screaming and shouting that took place last year when Berlusconi directed that illegal migrants be turned back, he was right wasn't he. He was looking after his countries national interest. Can we say the same for Malta's prime minister as well as the opposition. Or are we to allow all illegals (and non illegals as well) to stay here in Malta burdening our health and social services as the hospital is full and the maltese poor are getting poorer. This is a really sad capture in Malta's history. Our children will never forgive us for what we will be handing down to them.
C.ZARB
Apr 22nd 2010, 10:35
First the Frontex's idea was shot down. Then it was closely followed by the voluntary burden sharing and so goes all the effort made by the PN to try and solve this problem. Isn't it time to bring some real negotiators to deal with this problem?
matthew a grech
Apr 22nd 2010, 10:01
Naqta' rasi li Gonzi ha jkun l-ewwel wiehed li jaccetta dan-nonsense kollu.
Six long excruciating years in the EU, and there's no end in sight.
“Continuation of current initiatives” in Eurospeak is the equivalent of "all talk and no action" in plain English.
Halluna... (mhux letteralment, kif hallejtuna minn dejjem... imma 'Halluna, morru saqqu l-hass l'ghandkom...').