Malta should urge the EU to accept Libya’s proposal on immigration, Labour MEP candidate Sharon Ellul Bonici said.

She said in a statement that if the EU could squander €16 billion on illegal immigration, it could spare another billion towards effectively solving the problem. Recent UK press reports revealed that the EU squandered over €16 billion on a project that had to combat illegal immigration from north Africa as part of the Barcelona Process.

Ms Ellul Bonici welcomed Libya’s proposal for $€707 million in EU aid in exchange for collaboration to stem illegal immigration. She added that Malta should urge the EU to assist Libya and ensure that this led to an EU-Libya readmission agreement.

“Some people are saying this is blackmail on Libya’s part, but I don’t see it that way. Combating illegal immigration is costly. The EU should take this opportunity and make sure it paves the way towards a readmission agreement with Libya,” Ms Ellul Bonici added.

She said that the EU should then strengthen Frontex to patrol the EU border and deal with the whole process itself – from asylum applications to readmission and reallocation.

She pointed out that the EU dished out billions in aid across the globe, this month alone committing $640 million in financial aid to Pakistan and €400 million to Kenya. It was to also commit a yet undisclosed amount to Afghanistan.

“Even the Solomon Islands are receiving yet another instalment of $80 million, which is roughly what Malta contributed to EU funds last year.

“If it takes another billion towards solving this problem it would be a billion well spent,” she said.