Italian minister hails cooperation between Libya, Italy and Malta on migration

Sean Grima

Jul 27th 2010, 13:16

it is easy for people to think with their emotions - or should that be prejudice? - and say that these immigrants are illegal because they arrive without a visa and should thus be repatriated .what they conveniently omit to mention is that maltese law also protects the right to seek asylum - even if a migrant has arrived illegally. if the government sends them back, it would be violating maltese law.

all other conjectures of social upheavel and economic considerations, besides being, at best, arguable on their merits, are irrelevant: it is the law which counts.

colin stanley

Jul 26th 2010, 21:14

So in actual fact, both Norman Lowell and Dr. Josie Muscat were right, when they said, give them all they need and send them back.

Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi

Jul 26th 2010, 21:00

The reality is that no one wants these illegal invaders.

Louise Vella

Jul 26th 2010, 15:52

Cooperation is also in Libya's interests. If the illegal immigrants from farther south in Africa realise that the outlet through Libya to Europe is closed, they will stop invading Libya.

Joe Bugeja

Jul 26th 2010, 14:45

Closer cooperation will prevent any illegal immigrant from reaching the Maltese or Italian shores. Cooperate closer for the best of both our countries.

T Cilia

Jul 26th 2010, 14:40

Well-done and a well-deserved thankyou to the autorities in the countries mentioned.

May they continue to build on this co-operation to stop illegal immigration, the profits of illegal human smugglers, and therefore the loss of human life at sea, while protecting, sustaining and creating more quality employment.

B. Cachia

Jul 26th 2010, 14:18

Some years ago, we were constantly told by NGOs and even some members of Government, that nothing could be done to stop mass migration taking place - that this was a natural phenomenon like earthquakes or volcanoes - and the only thing we could do was to 'educate' the public to accept it and learn to live with it.

Then, someone in Italy found the political will to end the problem and did so with such ease that now we almost wonder what the crisis was all about. Our own leaders should be thanking God that someone else found the courage to take responsibility and solve the problem for them.

Louise Vella

Jul 26th 2010, 13:39

Lives will be saved if illegal immigrants now in Libya are not encouraged to make the dangerous crossing by criminal organizations of traffickers in human beings. Indirectly they are encouraged to make the risky trip even by so-called humanitarian organizations and NGOs who see no farther than the tip of their noses. They think they can help the illegal immigrants but in fact they are making noises which attract them to the shores of Southern Europe.

The agreement between Malta, Italy and Libya should be welcomed and supported. The EU, under the leadership of the Swede Cecilia Malmstrom, Commissioner responsible for illegal immigrants should beef up Frontex to prevent the illegal arrivals. Let’s not forget the illegal immigrants don’t have Malta as their destination but the rich countries of mainland Europe – Germany, France, Sweden, Britain and others.

Etienne Bonanno

Jul 26th 2010, 12:01

So much for Frontex.

Patrick Sacco

Jul 26th 2010, 11:14

Thank you Sig. Maroni and thank you Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. In the next General Election I wish I could vote both of you because you were the only ones who took the bull by its horns. Shame on LPN who wasted 5 long years of our country's life!