Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia said today that the key word to tacking irregular migration was 'prevention'.
"In the first place, the dangers of irregular migration and realities in Europe have to be publicised; secondly, migrant smuggling networks must be dismantled; thirdly, legal migration alternatives should be made available; and fourthly, it should be possible to lodge an asylum application without risking life and limb, not to mention exposure to exploitation."
The minister was speaking at the Euromed Migration III conference in St Julian's.
"I think it is in the interest of all our countries to ensure that migrants in the countries of origin are made aware of the real dangers of irregular migration, as well as realities in Europe. Notwithstanding what migrants may think, the European Union does not have an inexhaustible employment supply, nor is it possible to enjoy the full benefits European countries have to offer if one’s status is irregular. I am sure that we can make better use of the networks of international organisations to ensure that this message reaches its intended audience. This is by no means easy, but it is undoubtedly important," the minister said.
"Secondly, all of us should work harder with a view to dismantling the migrant smuggling networks that are promoting and facilitating irregular migration. Over the years the networks along some of the major routes became more organised and efficient, as attested by the number of irregular migrant crossing over to different European countries, as well as by the fact that the time taken to cross certain routes has become shorter.
"Thirdly, legal migration alternatives should be made available. Whereas Europe does not have an inexhaustible employment supply, there undoubtedly are labour market gaps that can be served by migration from African countries. Offering legal alternatives to irregular migration is ultimately as important as fighting migrant smuggling networks.
"Fourthly, the possibility of setting up EU asylum processing centres in third countries needs to be seriously considered. It is unfortunate that in the present scenario one of the first asylum ‘tests’ is surviving the ordeal posed by the boat crossing."
Dr Mallia said that if such an action was undertaken in tandem with successful efforts to combat migrant smuggling networks, asylum seekers or beneficiaries of international protection could be admitted into Europe in an orderly fashion, without risking their life in the process, and in a way that is proportionate to the different Member States’ resources and circumstances.
Furthermore, he added, it should be ensured that all the states in the Mediterranean should have their own functioning asylum systems. Cooperation between the European Union and the Mediterranean States can undoubtedly achieve a lot more in this sphere.