Brussels should provide expertise on the rapid security screening of irregular migrants rather than complain about Malta’s detention policy, according to Foreign Minister George Vella.
Dr Vella was elaborating on a proposal he floated during the meeting with European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström on Friday for the EU to offer “structured assistance” in the screening of migrants.
I informed her that my first concern as a minister was my country’s best interest even if it meant going against EU rules
The Foreign Minister made the suggestion as Ms Malmström kept insisting that Malta’s detention policy was in breach of EU regulations.
He told The Sunday Times of Malta: “I informed her that my first concern as a minister was my country’s best interest even if it meant going against EU rules.”
Dr Vella said from a security perspective alone it did not make sense for Malta to release migrants the moment they landed. Most came without any documents, making it hard to establish who they were, he added.
“Ms Malmström came here complaining about detention but it would help if the EU assisted in the identification process so that migrants could be released much quicker from detention while making sure they are not a threat to society,” he said.
Friday’s meeting was held behind closed doors on the second day of Ms Malmström’s visit.
However, Dr Vella acknowledged the Commissioner’s hands were tied on migration because Brussels did not have exclusive competence on the portfolio and much depended on individual member states.
Security concerns have increased since the rise of Islamic State (formerly known as Isis) in Iraq and Syria, a militant jihadist extremist group, and the ascent of Islamic militants in Libya.
Dr Vella has repeatedly sounded the warning on a changed landscape in Libya after the country descended into further chaos since the removal of Muammar Gaddafi three years ago.
While security concerns may be overstated, Martin Scicluna, a former government adviser on irregular migration, believes the Foreign Minister did the right thing to highlight the threat of extremism taking root in Libya.
“It is highly unlikely that irregular immigrants escaping persecution and coming to Malta pose a security threat but you can never exclude it,” Mr Scicluna said.
But in the current “jihadist atmosphere” it was not impossible to have an individual or a cell that might try to infiltrate mainland Europe through Malta, he added.
“A jihadist worth his salt would want to target mainland Europe and not Malta, which puts the onus on the EU to help countries like Malta manage their borders.”
In the 2012 annual report published last year by the security committee, the secret service watchdog, it was noted that the Security Service was on the lookout to identify any signs of “extremism” taking root and possible links to the criminal rings behind irregular immigration.
But while a proposal to have a structured EU security screening programme for migrants is welcome on paper, it is harder to achieve in practice, according to a former top army official, who preferred to remain anonymous.
“It is one thing screening an individual on who you have a history and background information and another thing altogether screening someone you know absolutely nothing about,” he said.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com