Update 2: Poland vows to tackle migration during EU presidency
Dr Gonzi inaugurating Malta's embassy in Poland. Photo: Jeremy Wonnacott, DOI
Poland has vowed to make migration on the challenges it has to tackle during its Presidency of the European Union, which starts on July 1.
Polish Premier Donald Tusk told the media this afternoon that Poland believed the EU should assist countries like Malta, which were facing this problem.
While an arrival of 800 people in 24 hours would not be impressive for Poland, one could understand the magnitude of the challenge for a country with a population like Malta’s. This was a challenge not just for Malta but for all the EU.
While the basic security and humanitarian needs of these people had to be guaranteed, the EU also needed to act to protect countries like Malta.
Mr Tusk was addressing the media following a meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in Warsaw.
The two prime ministers also discussed their common position against the introduction of a common EU taxation system and a common corporate tax. They also discussed the new EU financial package which was to be discussed during the Polish presidency.
Referring to the introduction of the Euro by Poland shortly, Mr Tusk said it was heartening to hear Dr Gonzi say how this had been an absolutely positive experience for Malta.
Dr Gonzi said that the Polish presidency was coming at a very important point in history when peoples next door to Europe people were discovering freedom to make their own choices.
He noted that on a bilateral level, relations between Malta and Poland had flourished since both countries joined the EU in 2004.
In the meantime, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski signed two bilateral agreements for the avoidance of double taxation and on the prevention of tax evasion.
Dr Gonzi said these agreements would held strengthen business ties between two countries.
This evening, Dr Gonzi inaugurated Malta’s first embassy in Poland. The ambassador is Godwin Montanaro.
Malta's presence in Poland was previously through a consulate.
Earlier, the Prime Minister called on the speakers of the Senate and Parliament, after which he laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
He then called on Polish President Bornislaw Komorowski at the Chancellory of the President.
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E. Azzopardi
Apr 6th 2011, 14:59
When you see headlines like these one takes a sigh of relief, until one realizes that UNLESS the majority vote in favour nothing will happen. This Commissioner seems useless ( but at least she is monitoring the situation closely!!!) and how will Poland persuade the majority?
Never say never. Hope is eternal.
Edgar Borg
Apr 6th 2011, 14:01
The polish "precidency" will come and will go without a mention to Maltas burden.
Nothing will happen in burden shareing unless an Italian commisioner is given the jobb Cecila Malmstrom is not doing..................paroli si , fatti noooooooooooooooo
M. Cachia
Apr 6th 2011, 13:48
The more I read of this political nonsense the more I convince myself re. my EU Referendum choice!
C.N.AQUILIN
Apr 6th 2011, 13:43
PROSIT DR GONZI, VERU PRIM MINISTRU TA' KAPAĊITA KBIRA, QED TAGĦMLILNA UNUR KULL FEJN TERSAQ, U KULL FEJN TKUN F'KULL PARTI TAD_DINJA!
KOMPLI GĦAŻIŻ PRIM MINISTRU GONZI XERRED IS-SABIEĦ ISEM TA' MALTA TAGĦNA MA' L-ERBGĦAT IRJIEĦ TAD-DINJA!
QED TARAW ĦUTI MALTIN KIF JAĦDEM MINN VERAMENT HU PRIM MINISTRU KAPAĊI, U JĦOB LILL-MALTA U LILL MALTIN!
TINSEWX DAWN IL-ĠRAJJIET ĦUTI MALTIN, IBQGĦU FTAKRUHOM SA META TASAL IL-ĠURNATA LI TRIEDU TAGĦMLU L-GĦAŻLA TAGĦKOM, IBQGĦU FTAKRU ĦALLI TAGĦMLU GĦAŻLA TAJBA GĦALINA LKOLL, GĦALL-ULIEDNA U GĦALL-PAJJIŻNA, MALTA TAGĦNA.
John Azzopardi
Apr 6th 2011, 13:21
Paroli, Paroli, Paroli. Bhal ma jghid il Malti. All these EU politicians is do talk and talk but no action. They are suppose to act above their national countries, but we all know better. Look at Cecilia Malstorm.
Anthony Briffa
Apr 6th 2011, 10:54
Maybe Dr Gonzi, whilst inaugurating the Embassy in Poland, will think about legislating asap, to allow Maltese citizens living abroad to vote in embassies. This will bring us at par with third world country nationals who already enjoy this facility. Who is objecting to such a facility?
Saviour Sam Agius
Apr 6th 2011, 11:06
That's right. It's about time we are given this right.
M Mifsud
Apr 6th 2011, 11:46
That's a good question Mr. Briffa: Who is objecting to such a basic human right?
Charles Grixti
Apr 6th 2011, 13:42
@Saviour Sam Agius & M. Mifsud
I disagree.
While giving the right to vote in national elections to Maltese citizens domiciled abroad sounds like a great idea at first, in practical terms it means giving someone who does not pay taxes or live in the community the right to make policy decisions that will not affect them directly, but which affect those living in Malta. Voting should not just hinge on citizenship but on residence as well. For example, Maltese citizens living in the US will be more prone to favour right-leaning and anti-Union political parties by virtue of the society they live in, whereas someone who lived in Sweden would be more left leaning. This would skewer the results of the election since this would not then necessarily reflect the direct wishes of the citizens that live in Malta, who and are the ones who have to face the consequences of policy decisions enacted on account of such an election. With all due respect, Maltese citizens living abroad (second and third generations) do not have a vested interest - therefore unless you live in the community, you shouldn't vote.
Anthony Briffa
Apr 6th 2011, 14:17
@ Mr. Mifsud
Of course it is a good question. There are only two parties in parliament, and we have the right to know which party is objecting. On one hand we have the PL which claims that it has become moderate and progressive, and on the other hand we have the PN which was never afraid of reforms. Maybe somebody can enlighten us with an answer
Anthony Briffa
Apr 6th 2011, 14:59
@ Charles Grixti
I am afraid you misunderstood the whole point. This facility will be accorded to citizens who appear on the electoral register, who are not permanently domiciled abroad and who live abroad due to their work and commute regularly to Malta. This category of citizens, rest assured, pay their due taxes in malta regularly.
P Callus
Apr 6th 2011, 15:38
Anthony Briffa I and many others object to you living in another country and voting what government we have in Malta, what taxes we pay etc. You come here to vote or vote in the country where you are staying and go back on the same day or after a couple of days and you saddle us with your choice of government. No way Briffa. Just vote in the country you are staying and be happy about it but no vote in Malta if you do not reside here
Charles Grxiti
Apr 6th 2011, 17:57
@Anthony Briffa Then if such a law is enacted, it has to be very carefully worded and be very clear, since for example, Italian citizens living in Canada have the right to vote in Italian elections without working, living or having any other connections to Italy save for their Italian citizenship. This is surely wrong and an imposition on the Italian citizens that actually live and work in Italy.