Five member states oppose burden sharing

At least five EU member states are opposing the idea of burden sharing in case of an ‘invasion’ of Libyan refugees and asylum seekers, according to details emerging from the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting, today dedicated to justice...

At least five EU member states are opposing the idea of burden sharing in case of an ‘invasion’ of Libyan refugees and asylum seekers, according to details emerging from the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting, today dedicated to justice issues.

Although Interior Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici yesterday declined to name the member states opposing this idea, Commission sources told timesofmalta.com they are Sweden, the UK, Belgium, Austria and Germany.

Six member states from the Mediterranean, including Malta, yesterday submitted a formal request to introduce an emergency burden sharing mechanism in case of a Libyan influx following the current turmoil in North Africa.

However, no consensus has been reached due to the resistance of some member states.

Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom – a Swede – avoided the issue when asked about it during a press conference following the Council meeting.

On the other hand, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that the majority of member states pledged their help in case the feared ‘exodus’ happens.

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