Climate change and immigration were on the agenda of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy during a whirlwind visit to Malta yesterday.
"This is my second time in Malta. I came once in 2004, as a free man," he joked, during a joint press conference with Dr Gonzi at Castille.
Reading prepared text, Mr Van Rompuy praised the "progressive" discussion he had with Dr Gonzi, where they spoke about the EU's two biggest challenges: climate change and the economic crisis. The issues will be discussed in greater detail next month during an informal meeting of the EU's heads of states and of government.
Dr Gonzi took the opportunity to explain Malta's "special situation" regarding illegal immigration, stressing that the island was receiving a disproportionate number of asylum seekers.
Mr Van Rompuy said migration was a concern not just for Malta but for the whole EU.
"The European Council has repeatedly discussed this sensitive issue but a lot remains to be done and we need to continue examining these issues in the Council in a spirit of solidarity," Mr Van Rompuy said.
During the Council meeting in June, the Immigration and Asylum Pact would be evaluated for the first time, Mr Van Rompuy said.
Dr Gonzi welcomed such a meeting dedicated to immigration as "a first", adding this could become an annual appointment. "We have managed to place this enormous challenge on the permanent agenda," he said proudly.
Dr Gonzi said his meeting confirmed the institutional issues of the EU had been closed and the institutions were now able to focus on economic challenges and opportunities.
On climate change, Mr Van Rompuy said the EU had to continue being a driving force. "There has been a lot of criticism about the outcome of the Copenhagen summit but, let us be clear, without the Union the outcome in Copenhagen would have been much worse," he said.
His visit to Malta was part of a tour of EU capital cities. He flew in from Athens and then headed to Berlin for talks during a working dinner with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
cperegin@timesofmalta.com