Kurt Sansone
Germany non-committal on Libya’s request for billions of euros a year
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle (left) touring the Upper Barrakka Gardens, in Valletta following talks with his counterpart Tonio Borg (right). Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
In a very hesitant tone, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle was non-committal on Libya’s request for €5 billion a year from the EU to help it contain illegal migration, insisting the issue had to be resolved bilaterally.
On a one-day visit during which he had talks with his counterpart, Tonio Borg yesterday, Dr Westerwelle was very cautious in his reply when asked about Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s request this week for billions of euros to stymie the flow of illegal immigrants into Europe.
“It was a request by a head of state of an important country and we will look into it,” he said during a press conference.
Malta has supported Libya’s request made by President Gaddafi on Monday during a state visit to Italy.
“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,” Dr Westerwelle said.
Talks between Dr Borg and Dr Westerwelle 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 at the UN general assembly later this month when it debates a resolution submitted by Serbia, which has not recognised the territory’s secession. Germany was one of the first EU states to recognise Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008.
On the Middle East peace process, Dr Westerwelle said he talked with American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday night when she reported a positive start to renewed peace talks in Washington.
Dr Borg and Dr Westerwelle also discussed relations between the two countries, which were described as excellent.
Dr Borg noted that some 50 manufacturing German companies operated in Malta, employing about 2,240 employees.
He thanked Germany for its support in dealing with the influx of asylum seekers by taking 31 refugees.
Germany is participating in the EU pilot project on refugee resettlement and will be resettling another 100 refugees from Malta.
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joe falzon
Sep 5th 2010, 11:44
one look at the expression on their faces says it all
czarb
Sep 4th 2010, 18:28
I am not the government's no 1 fan and I think that its disgusting that our government had accepted to sign the Dublin 2 treaty which nailed the immigrants to our country whether we/they like it or not. On the other hand, at this point in time what are you expecting the Maltese to do? Accept a horde of illegal immigrants with a smile on our faces? This problem is much bigger then us and we are suffering of the consequences of decades of (Africa) bad management which we had no power to prevent. Let us not forget that thanks to our great statesmen who signed that cursed treaty, the Northern European countries do not need to pay Gheddafi anything. It can simply hide behind the dublin treaty and let us carry the burden.
J. J. Borg
Sep 4th 2010, 15:16
"Germany non-committal" - in other words, "stuff it Ghaddafi".
J Abela
Sep 4th 2010, 13:18
This is absolutely disgusting!! We are accepting Libya's blackmail !!! absolutely disgusting !!
Robert Callus
Sep 4th 2010, 11:16
Only Malta's puppet politicians are committed to Gaddafi's extortion tactics. SHAME
http://robertcallus.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/gaddafi-extortion-and-the-bulgarian%E2%80%99s-nightmare/
Anthony Briffa
Sep 4th 2010, 11:46
The funds, if available in the EU, should be used to aid the sub-saharan countries to build schools, hospitals, roads, housing, and help them create employment instead of using them to trap them in their own misery. Like that they will remain in their own counrties and would not need to risk their lives to reach Europe and be used as a political tool. Unfortunately, the European politicians only know how to take the way of least resistance, go to brussels, agree on everything and return home happily ever after.
Robert Callus
Sep 4th 2010, 12:16
You are right Mr Briffa that is how they SHOULD be used. However, thanks to the worlds biggest malady CORRUPTION, many times they end up in the hands of dictators and spent on weapons or infrastructure for the elite. The main accomplices with these African (and Asian) dictators are the EU, the US and China.
The problem is not wealth, but wealth distribution.
patrick zammit
Sep 4th 2010, 11:05
Why is the EU so ineffective in controlling its borders but, according to Malta, Libya would be able to do just that with EU (tax payers) aid?
Joseph Vassallo
Sep 4th 2010, 10:19
Is this true? Did Malta really support Libya's demand for €5bn per annum to control migration?
Would it cost that much to control Libya's southern borders? And what about Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and further east up to Syria? Wouldn't they all want something in return for border security to protect Europe against 'Africanisation'?
There should be international legislation making individual countries liable for 'repatriation and sustenance' costs when nationals venture abroad without prior arrangement. That should make would-be migrants think twice before setting off on their adventure if they know they might have to pay back their own government.
A foreign aid programme would make staying home more attractive. The problem is that aid has to start with education of new generations and religious leaders would want to be in charge.
This is surely one issue that cannot be put right in 200 words.
Dr Ing Patrick Attard
Sep 4th 2010, 09:49
Maybe Dr Borg and Dr Gonzi should have boasted with Mr Westerwelle (an openly-gay politician) the big advancements Malta is making on gay-issues thanks to their government!!!!