Libya's request has to be resolved in a bilateral way - German Foreign Minister
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle chose his words very carefully when commenting on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s request for €5 billion from the EU to help it contain illegal migration to Europe, insisting the issue had to be resolved in a bilateral way.
“It was a request by a head of state of an important country and we will look into it,” he said in a very diplomatic tone, during a press conference with Maltese counterpart Tonio Borg this morning.
Dr Westerwelle is in Malta on a one-day visit for talks with Dr Borg on a number of bilateral issues.
President Gaddafi made his request on Monday during a state visit to Italy. He said Libya needed €5 billion a year to stop illegal immigrants from Africa entering the EU through its southern border. Malta has supported Libya’s request.
“I hesitate to comment in a concrete way because I do not want reactions that can have consequences. It is the EU’s common interest and responsibility to solve this in a bilateral way,” Mr Westerwelle said.
Talks between Dr Borg and Dr Westerwelle also focused on Kosovo’s declaration of independence with both countries insisting this was a closed chapter.
Dr Borg said Malta would support Kosovo’s independence in an upcoming UN meeting while the German Foreign Minister said it was necessary to close the book on the territorial integrity of states in the western Balkans for lasting peace.
They also discussed a number of bilateral issues including immigration and the need to convince other EU states that discipline in budgets was important for the stability of the euro and the Union.
Dr Westerwelle said that he talked with American Secretary of State Hilary Clinton yesterday evening during which she reported a positive start to the Middle East peace talks in Washington.
“I am impressed that the start was very successful and it is important that we all support this process,” he said urging all parties to create the circumstances for success.
Dr Borg reiterated the excellent bilateral relations between Germany and Malta and said that German has supported Malta on a number of political matters over the years.
He noted that some 50 manufacturing German companies operated in Malta, employing around 2,240 employees.
In the past five years, 14 German companies set up new operations and 17 German companies already located here utilised incentives offered by Malta Enterprise to expand their operations.
Dr Borg thanked Germany for its support in dealing with the influx of refugees over the past years.
Germany, he said, has recognised the disproportionate burden being carried by Malta taking 31 refugees from Malta.
It also decided to participate in the EU-Pilot Project on Refugee Resettlement and will be resettling 100 refugees from Malta.
On education, the Foreign Minister said joint projects were recently established between MCAST and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, one of the largest and most innovative scientific group of institutes worldwide, as well as the Max-Born College located in Recklinghausen in creating joint vocational training programmes.
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Joe Fenech
Sep 5th 2010, 11:41
What is war:
war is when a country invades you. The obvious reaction untill some years ago was to get the army and defend yourself.
The Maltese and the European problems is that while Europe has been invaded by Africans, NO ONE has lifted a finger!
As Gaddafi said "Africa will defeat you through the womb of their women" ie those bearing 6 - 8 kids!!!!
WHY SHOULD EUROPE BE BLACK????????? Get an European army together and attack Africa. While Europe is suffering the attack, the Chinese and the Indians are taking over the wealth of the continent!
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 5th 2010, 18:25
Maybe you should join the German uprising "Herr Migrationskritiker Thilo Sarrazin Partei Deutschlands" ...!!! With regards to war by europeans in Africa. I would have thought that "homo europeus" has already left his mark behind in the various and diverse ex colonies found there !!! Your reference to colour should also relate to that which non colour blind people refer to as red which is very common during "civilised bloodshed" such as wars.
Joe Fenech
Sep 5th 2010, 11:30
Oh, so no one is criticising Mintoff about his deals with Gaddaffi! Gaddafi is a TRUE statesman. He has guts and verve unlike the weaklings at the top of the EU pyramid.
It is a shame for humanity what the world did to the Libyans. Imposing an embargo after the flawed Lockerbie case was a mass-terrorist act. Key evidence wasn't accessed and now it is very clear that all that was a frame-up. Now the world will have to dance to Gaddafi's tune. He will avenge every drop of blood the Libyans shed during this big time of suffering. And SO he should!
Martin Cassar
Sep 4th 2010, 17:27
@ Chris Finch
‘Time to ditch this clown who has been a thorn in the side of the west for too long.’
----------------------------------------------
The fact that Gadaffi was celebrating his 40+ anniversary in power few days ago is a big smack on the west’s face if you now what I mean.
Are you aware that ex PM Tony Blair is now Gaddafi’s family 'best' friend and last year Mr. Blair was appointed as Gaddafi's foreign affair consultant? And it’s not a Pro-bono job I tell you.
By the way, get updated about the PAN-AM saga please.
Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Sep 4th 2010, 06:15
Europe is in financial turmoil and is being invaded by mostly muslim gypsies. France is rounding up the European ( Romanian ) Gypsies to make room for more muslims. Germany wants to give Gaddafi 5 Bn Eu to help him keep non muslims from coming to Europe.
Malta gets the rest, that is, no money and plenty of muslim gypsies.
What next ?
Open immigration to Australia becuase too many people in Malta ?
Mabe I will have to become a muslim before I can come to visit my country in a few years.
In Australia we already have areas in Bankstown where you cannot go into a shop unless you are a muslim.
I heard that there are some in Gzira too......Is this true ?
Salam ghalikhom.
Joe Fenech
Sep 5th 2010, 11:36
" Malta gets the rest, that is, no money and plenty of muslim gypsies. "
And WHY is that?
Because Maltese politicians are totally weak and transparent.
As I said many times: Malta will be 1/3 black in 30/40 years' time... Just wait and see.
Imbghad jigi xi Monsinjur [...] isalvaha lil Malta!
reno calleja
Sep 4th 2010, 04:28
Ghadafi is right to ask Europe for that huge amount of money. Most of the problems forcing people in Africa , Middle East to leave their country, enbarking on dangerous, sometimes deadly journeys to Italy, Spain and Malta, stems manly, from the hundreds of years of colonialism and exploitation by the Europeans.
Libja itself was exploited and milked by the Western countries,including Italy, when it was ruled by a corrupt, King, until Ghadafi toppled him in 1969, with his September Revolution.
I am delighted to read that Malta is supporting Libja on this issue.
Indeed even Malta should insist with Europe to donate to us millions of euros beause we are spending ten of millions of euros on illegal immigration.
Ghadafi off course in a much stronger position than Malta to stamp his foot down
However Malta must insist that the immigration problem, costing us millions of Euros, is the legacy of a Colonial Europe. Even to this day Europe continues to exploit and pillage Africa.
Chris FInch
Sep 3rd 2010, 20:01
Wouldn't it be cheaper for European powers to just invade Libya, depose the terrorist sponsor Gadaffi and put in place their own president? After all, isn't that what we have done in iraq and afghanistan? That way we could kill 3 birds with one stone: Gadaffi - who after all was responsible for PAN AM over lockerbie Illegal Immigration Oil crisis (just like in iraq the west could claim it as its own). It would cost a lot less than 5Bn per annum. Time to ditch this clown who has been a thorn in the side of the west for too long.
Joe Borg
Sep 3rd 2010, 22:24
Chris FInch libya was not involved in the Pan Am disaster.
JOe VELLa
Sep 4th 2010, 15:02
Boy! my friend do you see big!
The last one who wanted to overthrow was Bush junior and Blair helped. They sure made their dream came true, now the U.S. of A. is saying they goofed it., and Blair is sorry. More than 6000 dead they only created a vacuum in Iraq where not only there is internal strive but neighbors too want to put their finger in the oil bucket, besides, no one has any business to interfere in internal affairs of another country, it seem the end did not justify the means and the world has become a worse place than before.
Martin Cassar
Sep 3rd 2010, 16:24
Quote:
‘Dr Borg reiterated the excellent bilateral relations between Germany and Malta and said that German has supported Malta on a number of political matters over the years.’
And here what the Times of Malta reported on Saturday, 17th July 2010
Helmut Kohl blocked Malta EU entry in 1995
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100717/local/helmut-kohl-blocked-maltas-eu-entry-in-1995
The 5 Billions euros Gaddafi asking for aren’t actually a big a mount compared to:
Billions of euros Europe benefits from selling military equipment to keep wars in Africa on and on.
Billions euros NATO spend on useless wars in Afghanistan (NATO spend 5 Billions euros approximately every 44-45 days) while the USA spend same amount in less than a week in Iraq.
The Billions Germany pays every year for ‘Israel’(to the victims of the Holocausts).
If you look at it in different you may note that Europe usually is ready to pay in order to keep none Christians outside Europe.
Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Sep 4th 2010, 06:34
I think you got it wrong with the last line: "to keep none Christians outside Europe'.
You meant to write : to keep Christians out of Europe.
Germany and France are selling armaments to Muslim countries so as to kill Christians. Then they give Libya money to employ muslim soldiers to filter illigal immigrants so that non muslims are put in jail in Libya at the expense of the EU (Christians?)
These muslim illigals will come to Malta to populate and install a muslim community who will degrade the country so that Germany can buy the land cheaply.
Australia is ahead of you in this but the people here are more aware and are making a stand.
When Germany says " bilateral" it means "at someone else's expense".
Alexander Morana
Sep 3rd 2010, 14:45
Jesmond Micallef you either want to be German or Maltese living in Germany. On the other hand you want German citizenship but you refuse to live and think like a German? Make up your mind or else lfe will pass you by, if you know what I mean.
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 18:56
First of all, nobody tells me how or what to think otherwise I wouldn't be writing here. Secondly, I live like a German in Germany and have no serious problems whatsoever, I speak the language very well and proud of it. I also get to meet people and have seen much of Germany that in all probability, just a few Germans have, in their entire lifetime. Finally, why do other Maltese living outside the EU have this option of dual citizenship and I not. As an EU citizen who prefers to live within the EU, I find this very discriminating, to say the very least !! Other Maltese citizens living the USA, Canada, and Australia can just come over and help themselves to staying in Germany as much as they want !! No visa, nothing whatever....
joe falzon
Sep 3rd 2010, 14:40
@J Briffa....Dr Borg said that Italy and Spain share the same problem as malta, according to everybody it's all europe that is at risk of becoming black and muslim......as far as i know EU countries have either remained silent or expressed anger; BBC online news even stated that in italy berlusconi was even told it was time to distance himself from gaddafi who seems to be back to his younger, pre-regan bombing self...........correct me if I'm wrong, but of all the EU countries only Malta opened its mouth against the general opinion and said, I back gaddafi's request 100%! Now EU is already annoyed with Malta's EU school funds scandal and with the BWSC contract, and others......So I don't think they are going to be amused when Dr Borg acted like a one-man team! EU countries were angry when they had to dish out money to help the economy of a fellow member (Greece), do you think they are going to be amused by Dr Borg's suggestion we pay off what amounts to extortion money to a dictator who is on an ego-trip after successfully effecting the release of the lockerbie bomber!
Joseph E Briffa
Sep 3rd 2010, 13:57
What can our foreign minister say? We know Gaddafi's approach is by way of a threat; give me the money or I will make Europe black; and that means Malta in particular because this is the closest piece of rock to Libya. Imagine getting say 10000 Africans every year. In 5 years more than 10% would be blacks, in 10 years 1 in 4 would be black.
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 15:02
Why are you referring to people with a different skin colour to yours or mine ?
Sandra Pullicino
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:24
Jesmond Micallef because they are the subject of the discussion and they are the threat made by Gaddafi that's why. We don't need them and we don't want them. Any objection?
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 19:10
Sandra Pullicino, of course I object. !! What do you mean "don't need them, don't want them" ? Just what do you think are you talking about here, ragbags, pigs or human beings ??
Sandra Pullicino
Sep 3rd 2010, 22:27
Jesmond Micallef who do you think you are to dictate to us whom we should allow to stay in Malta? They have no right to be here and we do not want them here. If you want to be with them join them in Libya or their own countries. Get your head out of the sand.
Rita Spiteri
Sep 3rd 2010, 22:29
Jesmond Micallef SHE'S TALKING ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO SHOULD NOT EVEN BE ALLOWED TO SET FOOT IN MALTA LET ALONE STAY HERE. EXPEL THEM ALL BACK TO THEIR OWN COUNTRIES. WE DO NOT WANT THEM IN MALTA.
joe falzon
Sep 3rd 2010, 13:25
The German foreign minister showed diplomatic tact by not committing himself and his country to gaddafi's request and saying it will be looked into........Unfortunately our foreign minister lacks diplomatic tact and out of the blue committed malta to support gaddafi without seriously thinking of all the implications of his statement and how malta will be looked upon by the other EU countries. I read somewhere that the 5 billion euros gaddafi is asking for is the same amount he dished out to the lockerbee victims.....It would seem dr borg is giving an excellent example of diplomatic boot-licking.......Does he think gaddafi is going to solve malta's financial problems in return for his support?
alfred micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:53
Gaddafi is blackmailing all of europe once a terrorist always a terrorist.And our dumb government is supporting him.
Grace VAssallo
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:35
alfred micallef how about the billions pumped every year into Africa to its dictators so that the European countries and multinationals continue depriving Africa of its riches? Wouldn't it be better to spend the money to provide work and development for Africa instead of to its dictators?
David Gatt
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:15
This is blatant blackmail, sanctioned by Malta's foreign minister...either you hand me billions or else I will allow your continent to be invaded!! Does anyone think Libya needs money to control its borders??
CZarb
Sep 3rd 2010, 13:27
Yes it does. Libya's frontier is endless. Whether Europe should pay 5 billion a year to be 'saved' from millions of immigrants that's a different story. Why should Germany and the other North European countries pay when they can easily resort to the Dublin treaty which locks immigrants to countries like Malta, Spain etc?
Joe Borg
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:52
Why is our foreign minister more concerned with Libya's 'requests' rather then Malta's right to drill for oil in the Medina Bank? Has he become Libya's puppet?
Has Malta made its request of sovereign and economic rights over the Medina Bank known to Libya and the EU? If not, what are we waiting for now that Libya has contracted BP to drill offshore, not far from the Medna Bank?
The minister is quick to support Libya's claims but simply ignores that which benefits Malta and his fellow countrymen. Shame!
A. Zahra
Sep 3rd 2010, 14:52
supporting Libya's claim does benefit Malta. can you not see it?
john micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:16
some things never change
John Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:14
Qiesu PBO jew il-Clan tieghu smart f'diskorsu dan ir-ragel Austin.
Ahjar nitghalmu nharsu u nitghalmu hbieb. Ghax bil- potenzjal li kella Malta meta kien hemm problemi tax-Shengen konna nehilsu mil- problema f'sieghat, mhux xhur, imma le l-ewwel il- pride politika, hux vera Ton?
Anthony Schembri
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:07
Only if a humane treatmet is provided to these refugees
P.Pulis
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:05
'Malta has supported Libya's request'
And since when does Malta support politics based on blackmail? Libya has already signed a deal with Italy for compensation during the colonial occupation. What Gaddafi is blatantly proposing is that if Europe does not pay, he will 'colonise' Europe with ignorant, black and backward Africans (his description).
The 5 billion proposed could be better invested in creating better alternative energy sources so that the western world could be less dependent on radical regimes who through no effort of their own found themselves sitting on the world's largest oil deposits.
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:47
What about dual citizenship agreement between Malta and Germany ? Why is it that Maltese Americans, Maltese Canadians, Maltese Australians, all freewillingly living away from the European continent have this option and those who want to stay and live within Europe don't ?
Albert Farrugia
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:57
According to German law, if your country allows you dual-citizenship, and Malta does, you can obtain German citizenship and keep your own.
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:07
Albert Farrugia, are you correct ? Germany does not endorse very easily dual citizenships ? I have asked around and for me to obtain German citizenship, I would have to give up the Maltese one. Even American citizens living Germany have no dual citizenship rights !!
C Cassar
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:36
That's how it should be, only one citizenship. It makes a person commit to that country if he wants to be a true citizen. Dual citizenship is a scam and should be outlawed.
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 13:31
C.Cassar, You are theoretically valid, but there is a problem. We humans adopt various strategies of social survival, the types of "when in Rome do as the Romans do" do not hold character, neither !! Does Nationalism define character ? I hope people will not get politely aggressive if they find the truth offensive.
Andreas Reiff
Sep 3rd 2010, 14:54
Mr. Micallef, you said you have been asking around. Who did you ask, and even more important, when did you ask? Because German law to this respect changed only a few years (2 or 3) ago. At least with respect from being a German and obtaining another citizenship, that is. Just a question of simple formality. However I do not know how it works the other way around. So if you asked around more than 3 years ago, I suggest asking again at the Embassy of Germany.
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 15:15
Herr Reiff, I know that the German Law had changed with regards to German citizenship but I have very lately contacted the Malta Consulate in Bayern and it was confirmed to me that I have to withdraw my Maltese citizenship in order to be granted a German one.
Tommy Cassar
Sep 3rd 2010, 22:36
Jesmond Micallef you are European and they still don't want to give you German citizenship. So do you expect us to keep illegal immigrants when they have no right to be in Malta? Do you also expect us to give them Maltese citizenship?No way Jesmond. One way or the other they shall be made to leave.
T Camilleri
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:42
So where is the EU solidarity Guido Westerwelle?
T. Krysto
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:44
... giving 5 Bilion Euro to a Dictator is not solidarity, there is no need to
Vincent Sammut
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:28
T. Krysto where is the EU solidarity with Mlata and the problem of illegal immigrants? Some solidarity? As others say crap EU crap solidarity.
Joseph E Briffa
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:40
Well said Joseph Gatt....a brilliant idea. Gaddafi with his billions made from oil - a manna from heaven for otherwise poor Libya - could also help out by donating a few billion dollars every year to these poor southern neighbours of his. It's about time that the rich African nations help their poor relations. After all, oil revenues for the rich countries were not the result of any efforts by their leaders.
M.Bezzina
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:37
U jekk Malta tixtieq tghin lil Libya takwista dawn il hames biljuni daw il kundizzjonijiet namillu kiku l Gaddafi.
Iforni lil Malta b zejt b xejn ghall dejjem meta tqis li IL-Libja tereq qeda fiz zejt.
Immigrazzjoni illegali -Patt bhall ma ghamlu it taljani.
Inhaffer ghaz zejt fiz zona inkwistjoni flimkien mal Libjani u naqsmu l gid flimkien.
Jghati rigal lil Maltin kollha(Malta iniffisha biex nifthemu)billi jghati somma tajba fis sena lil pajjizna ha jkun jista jizvillupa u johrog il pagi minnhom.Tqis li ahna mannix 'revenue' min fejn indahhlu l flus.
Kull Malti li jahdem il Libja ghandu jkun privilegjat (ezentat)meta tinholoq kwistjoni bhall ma gara tal Visa f April!!
frank grech
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:19
Dream on.........
M. Fenech
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:20
Hozz fl'ilma siehbi. Wiehed biss kien hawn li ghamel 'good deal' ma' el-qaddafi, u mhux se jerga' jkun hawn hadd iehor li jirnexxielu. Kemm kienu fixkluh, u issa ara fiex gejna! Insomma, kull poplu jkollu l-politikanti li jixirqulu, jmexxuh!!! U dak fatt!!!!!
Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Sep 4th 2010, 05:57
M. Fenech: When that deal was done , Malta was already invaded by Libian troops. We were about to become a Libian state. I remember very well. Malta Dry Docks was full of their ships loaded armaments, whilst Gzira and Valletta had a very large population of Arabs waiting for orders.
What kept them from the final strike was the 5TH FLEET stationed around Malta.
Lest we forget.
G.Mifsud
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:31
Maltese Foreign Minister should reply - hey it is Europe's problem and Malta is part of EU and it is only situated at the door step of this "important"country. The Illegal immigration has to be stopped in Libya and beyond those borders. Pull out your finger Herr Westerwelle
Joe Borg
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:29
Can Col. Gaddafi be trusted in using all that money for it's intended purpose? Or will he find something 'else' to do with it, like something anti Europe? I wonder!!!
Joseph Gatt
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:25
Alternatively, we could give the 5 Billion Euros as aid to the countries from where the immigrants are coming. 5, 000,000,000 euros (look at all those zeros!) go a long way, especially in poor African countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, etc. we could help them build an infrastucture for an economy so that they can have jobs in their country and support themselves. A much quoted Chinese proverb comes to mind, involving, beggars, fish and fishing rods.
Mark Jr. Laferla
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:40
Billions of Euros are pumped into Africa every year to try help stabilize the region and provide aid to the millions of people who require it. However, it doesn't seem to ever have a positive enough effect. Somewhere along the line the money gets used up and the people still beg for more. I think it's about time the African governments get their act together and the African people should help themselves and their countries, rather than running away and leaving it all behind for someone else to sort the mess. I agree with continuing to support Africa, but they must help themselves because at the end of the day without their own input it is pointless throwing more money into the hands of corrupt politicians, human traffickers, criminals and refugee agencies (who have little to no power to do anything).
CZARB
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:43
The West had been pumping billions of euros in Africa for decades and we all have seen the results of that. At one point you really need to draw a line and take in consideration Europe's interest too. We can't be invaded by a horde of illiterate people (whether they are white, black, red etc), Europe simply doesn't have the resources, the space and the work for them to integrate them all. On the other hand, a financially healthy Europe can keep on helping third world countries.