A plan to “force” member states to show solidarity with those burdened with illegal immigration has been unveiled by European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström who insisted that “the time for talk is over”.

Ms Malmström did not mince her words about the ‘real’ lack of solidarity- "

Admitting that, so far, solidarity with Malta has been lower than expected, Ms Malmström said it was the intention of the EU Executive to propose – subject to a further impact assessment – a permanent relocation scheme, based on voluntary commitments by member states and the consent of beneficiaries.

“This will allow member states to request assistance through relocation, including in an emergency,” she said.

This permanent scheme will replace the intra-EU relocation pilot project launched in 2009 after intense diplomatic pressure from Malta to boost solidarity with the island due to increasing migratory pressures.

The Eurema (EU relocation Malta project) programme, as it is known, is aimed at giving financial assistance and support to EU countries that accept immigrants from Malta having international protection.

However, despite generous handouts of some €4,000 per person, many member states only offered lip service to the project and few protected persons have in fact been relocated to other member states.

Some countries, particularly the UK and Sweden, were fundamentally against the project, arguing that it acted as a pull-factor for more irregular migrants to reach the EU.

During the first phase of the project, which lasted for 24 months until last June, 227 persons were relocated to six member states.

The Commission tried to further boost participation and earlier this year organised a pledging conference to encourage member states to take more refugees from Malta.

However, despite additional pledges – some 340 places – only a handful of member states participated. In this same period, more refugees were relocated to the US than to European countries, putting the EU’s solidarity initiative to shame.

Apart from the permanent intra-EU solidarity programme – a first in EU history – Ms Malmström yesterday also announced initiatives aimed at boosting solidarity among member states in this area.

Among the measures is more effective support to member states by the European Asylum Support Office, which is located in Malta; an increase to €3.9 billion in the funds to be allocated for migration over the next seven-year budgetary period; and the introduction of an early warning system so that the Commission and member states can identify shortcomings in national asylum systems and try to tackle them before emergencies occur.

Ms Malmström did not mince her words on the lack of “real” solidarity offered so far by member states. “We have heard many a declaration about asylum solidarity, not least during the past year, but we have not seen as much action,” she said.

“The values of solidarity, tolerance and mutual respect need to be turned into concrete results. That is why we are proposing measures to help EU member states live up to their responsibility of offering protection to people in need.

To those member states with ill-functioning asylum systems: It is time to get your house in order,” she warned.

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