A burden sharing proposal for the problem of irregular migration to be shared among all European Union member states will be discussed by EU ministers in the coming days, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening.

Addressing a mass meeting on of the Floriana granaries, Dr Gonzi said that this proposal was made by the Maltese government during discussions on a new European policy on irregular migration.

Dr Gonzi said the government was ensuring that the principle of burden sharing was respected within the EU since Malta could not shoulder the responsibility on its own.

“The government has proposed a mechanism similar to that which Malta has with the United States through which a number of refugees are relocated to the US to start a new life there. The principle is the same, with the aim that refugees are relocated to other EU member states, putting into practice the principle of shared responsibility. I am informed that the government’s relocation proposal will be discussed at a meeting for EU Justice and Interior Ministers in the coming days,” he said.

On the price of oil, Dr Gonzi explained how the price had climbed from $80 a barrel in January last year to $100 and then up to $147 in July. There was also the financial turmoil in the US. He appealed to the Maltese to be courageous and keep their feet on the ground.

He said the price of energy was expensive and was expected to remain so.

“If we want cleaner energy we have to be prepared to invest more in alternative energy, making the best of the sun and the wind,” he said.

Dr Gonzi said that in order to surpass challenges, the Maltese had to continue respecting their Christian values, including assisting irregular immigrants who needed help. Moreover, more investment was needed in education and the creation of sustainable jobs with which people can find a balance between work and the family.