‘Major step’ towards common approach
The official logo of the support agency. Photo: Alan Carville
The long-awaited Malta-based European Asylum Support Office was launched yesterday evening with the task of streamlining asylum policies in member states and improving cooperation between authorities.
Describing it as an “important milestone”, European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said the support agency would help significantly reduce the “disparities” and “divergences” in the way member states handle asylum applications.
It would also support EU countries that found themselves under “particular pressures” and would help contribute towards the better implementation of the Common European Asylum System, she said.
The support office became official as Commissioner Malmström, together with the agency’s new executive director Robert Visser and Justice Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, each signed a declaration at the Auberge de Castille in the presence of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Speaking during an official ceremony at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Dr Gonzi reminded officials and European representatives that Malta carried a higher burden of asylum seekers than any other state.
“The size of our country, population and, above all, our labour market ensures that we can’t provide a future for more than a few of these deserving people,” he said.
He also expressed his satisfaction that the European Commission had decided to extend the investment by €2.6 million for an additional floor in the building, situated in Marsa, increasing the office space to around 3,700 square metres.
The agency’s launch also sets into action the Seat Agreement, which governs the relationship between the Maltese government and the agency, setting the parameters for how it will be run.
“My government believes that the establishment of the office represents a major development in our attempts to forge a common approach within the Union. As the host country, we look forward to extending all possible assistance to the support office to reach its objective,” he said.
To conclude the ceremony, the official logo of the support agency – its initials set against the EU’s traditional blue background and yellow stars – was unveiled.
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Mr Joe Gatt
Jun 20th 2011, 16:39
Perhaps the Italians, will save the day. We are Sailing the same Boat, as them.
Maybe , on the issue of Illegal Imigration, it would be best to deal with the Italians and no one else.
Ms Louise Vella
Jun 20th 2011, 12:29
The EU's asylum office will operate like a substation of UNHCR trying to attract illegal immigrants to Malta and Europe.
Mr Carmelo Aquilina
Jun 20th 2011, 13:51
from which fount of wisdom did you get this insight ?
Mr John Azzopoardi
Jun 20th 2011, 11:25
This does not prove anything. ONly time will tell. Let's not jump the gun as the Americans say.
Joe Grech
Jun 20th 2011, 10:50
On 7.1.2010 before she was appointed E.U. Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom had declared hat her work would centre round ''Burden Sharing and Solidarity.''
Circumstances show beyond a shadow of a doubt that she has failed dismally - there is neither Solidarity nor Burden Sharing between E.U. countries especially where asylum seekers, economic migrants or just plain ''refugees'' are concerned. Meanwhile Europe is being hard hit by Malmstrom's impractical manoeuvres. Her agends consists in putting foreigners before E.U. citizens!
Malmstrom has been told by Angela Merkel that Multiculturalism has failed dismally. No wonder E.U. countries, hard beset by financial woes and internal problems are so reluctant to accept peoples with completely different cultures in their midst. It's not racism ; it's just the need for national survival.
Malmstrom irresponsibly plods on with her silly policy which continues to harm Europe and E.U. taxpayers.
She mentions Asylum seekers when she knows that the problem is not that but rather Economic Migrants who abandon their African lands in a search for economic betterment in Europe which they mistakenly look upon as a Utopia, the land of milk and honey.
This E.U. Asylum Support Office will be attracting more illegals to our islands as they will look upon it as their very own Embassy!
Malmstrom needs to convince Sweden her country to Burden Share and to show Solidarity along with the hardest hit Southern European lands - Malta especially. She knows Sweden will have none of that. It has been very badly hit itself as a result of its past actions in this issue. Malmstrom would have Malta land in the same highly dangerous situation....how irresponsible of her!
The worst thing about it all is that Malmstrom is not kicked out of her cosy job by the E.U. top leadership. They too are just as irresponsible and impractical very probably eyeing only their personal earnings no matter how badly hit this financially unstable continent is through their silly idealistic ''policies".
Mr Carmelo Aquilina
Jun 20th 2011, 13:53
Joe - which bit of "international treaties" and "human rights" do you not understand ?
Please choose the reason of your report below: