Busuttil leading EP delegation on Tunisian-Libyan border
An ad-hoc delegation of six MEPs, led by Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil is on a fact-finding mission in Tunisia to visit refugee camps on the Libyan border and meet representatives of local authorities, international organisations and NGOs.
Tomorrow, the delegation will have meetings with the Tunisian prime minister and other ministers.
The aim is to discuss the plight of refugees and the implications for the European Union, notably as regards migration.
"We are going to the Libyan border to see the situation of fleeing refugees for ourselves. The fight for democracy in Libya is causing temporary side effects such as the considerable numbers of people fleeing the country.
"Europe must address the challenges posed by this situation, particularly the treatment of refugees, humanitarian aid as well as the impact on migration towards Europe
"The people escaping Libya also raise issues for Tunisia, which is already under severe pressure for other reasons", Simon Busuttil told timesofmalta.com.
"Europe cannot stay put in the face of these realities and our delegation will help us understand better how we can help alleviate the situation. We are doing this by talking directly to the refugees, to the international organisations running their camps and to the Tunisian authorities", he said.
Watch video from Tunisia
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Klaus Pedersen
Jul 15th 2011, 16:04
Bravo to Simon Busuttil. And to the critics: we have to address this for two reasons:
Firstly, our neighbour in the south is facing refuge problems the proportions of which we cannot even phantom. We cry out when a few hundred land on our shores. What about tens, if not hundreds, of thousands?
Secondly, if human considerations are none of your concern, how about the fact that if these problems are not addressed in Tunisia, they will land on our doorstep next?
joseph cachia cachia
Jul 15th 2011, 23:27
Mr Klaus P
First you have no neighbour in the South, We MALTESE have.
We are'nt worried if they land on your shore, WE worry when land on our MALTA
May be human consideration is yours, but not of Mr Busuttil, he with on grave train collegues
obeyed cameron /sarkozy/clinton/rasmussen orders and voted for LIBYA bombing.
Most of them illegals on the border were in LIBYA earning good money, but saw an excuse created
by Busuttil & Co. gone to border awaiting a lift to europe.
If next they end up on your doorstep we don't mind at all, just don't want them on our MALTA
Alfred Falzon
Jul 17th 2011, 21:43
@joseph cachia cachia
Malta will remain true to its humanitarian and democratic principles and condemns the ruthless Kadhafi regime for the killing and/or maiming of thousands of Libyan civilians whose only fault was to clamour for FREEDOM!
The Brega saga that is unfolding today, at this very moment, will expose in due time the hideous face of a ruthless regime intent on holding on to power against the wishes of the great majority of its people!
Twitter Libya bears testimony to all this!
Truth will out and those who have caused much suffering to their people will have to give an account of themselves!
Mr louis scicluna
Jul 15th 2011, 13:13
One mans' loss (Gonzi), is another mans' gain. Irsisti Buzu...
Mr Lawrence Fenech
Jul 15th 2011, 12:44
Hallina Busuttil, kollox tghamel biex tidher. Problema risolto.
Mr Charles Cremona
Jul 15th 2011, 12:33
All problems solved Busuttil has woke up again and is on a junket to Tunisia this time. What is all this waste of money leading up to, we already know Tunisia is under pressure from Libjan immigration. Busuttil is out of his dept when he says that Europe must address the challenges ahead, what is this man proposing ? He is always waffling about this complex issue but has no answers because nobody in Europe takes any notice of him. This has been proved time after time when the question of burden sharing is discussed in Europe, truth is nobody wants to share.
Carmel Xuereb
Jul 15th 2011, 12:02
Mr. Busuttil don't forget to wear an helmet and a bullet proof vest. And good luck in you work.