Malta will support Tripoli’s request for substantial EU funds in exchange for more control over the flow of illegal migrants leaving from Libya.
“Muammar Gaddafi’s recent request is nothing new and we think that it’s totally justified,” Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said yesterday.
“It is obvious that Libya, with its massive desert borders, needs help to control the flow of illegal immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa, who, at the end of the day, end up in Europe. We fully support Libya’s request as it is in the interest of Malta to have our neighbouring country capable of policing adequately its borders,” Dr Borg said.
During an official visit to Italy, Colonel Gaddafi made controversial comments about the problem and on Monday demanded €5 billion a year from the EU.
He said there were millions of “ignorant” Africans wanting to come to the EU and warned that Europe could “turn black” if Libya was not given the funding it needed.
Asked whether it was acceptable for the Libyan leader to threaten the EU he would effectively suspend migrant controls if the Europeans did not put their hand into their pockets, Dr Borg played down the issue dubbing President Gaddafi’s comments as “just negotiating tactics”.
“We all know the EU is trying to negotiate a framework agreement with Tripoli, which will also include a financial package and Gaddafi is probably trying to negotiate the best deal possible,” he said.
“However, irrespective of the amount of money involved, I reiterate that it is the interest of Malta, Italy and Spain that Libya is given the requited help. We can disagree on the amount but financial help is justified.”
Malta’s stance is also supported by Italy.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, a former European Justice Commissioner, said yesterday he expected the EU to discuss Colonel Gaddafi’s proposal by November.
“I think the issue will be discussed during an Arab-EU summit in Libya to be held next November and we will fully support the need of financial help to Libya,” he said.
Although the European Commission had originally rejected to react to Col Gaddafi’s comments, a spokesman yesterday hinted the EU would be considering Libya’s demands.
“We have already given Libya €50 million during the past years, money being used in three different pilot projects aimed at assisting the country deal with illegal immigration while respecting human rights,” he said.
“We would also like to state that we have been negotiating an agreement with Libya on this issue since 2008 and this will also entail a financial package,” he added, without replying to a question on whether €5 billion a year is on the high-side.
Two years ago, when talks between the EU and Libya started, Tripoli had asked for €1 billion a year. The upping of the sum five-fold has sent messages to Brussels that Libya wants to negotiate further.
Commission sources said the next round of technical negotiations between Libya and the EU were expected to be held in Tripoli in three weeks time. The sources said Brussels was aiming to be able to conclude talks with the Libyan authorities by the end of this year.
“However, it takes two to tango,” the sources were quick to add.