The EU should have talks with a new Tunisian government to stop the flow of illegal migrants from that country, former European Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot said yesterday.
“We must have a good link with Tunisia and explain we cannot possibly accept all these migrants. I hope the new Tunisian government will be more careful about these problems and the EU should discuss with this country to find solutions,” he said.
Mr Barrot was speaking after President George Abela bestowed on him the honour of Ġieħ ir-Repubblika for helping Malta deal with the irregular migration phenomenon when he was still European commissioner.
He was awarded one of the highest accolades of the country for being instrumental in convincing other member states about the importance of solidarity and burden sharing.
“We are honouring Mr Barrot to show our gratitude for his work in the implementation of the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum and for putting forward Malta’s perspective of solidarity and burden sharing,” Dr Abela said.
Mr Barrot was also instrumental in supporting the pilot project for the resettlement of refugees enjoying humanitarian protection and in siting the European Asylum Agency office in Malta.
“It is more than fitting that he deserves our respect, recognition and gratitude for what he did for the Maltese people on one of the most major challenges we had to face in recent years,” Dr Abela added.
Asked about the recent wave of illegal migrants from Tunisia, who have been arriving on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa since the revolution in the country, Mr Barrot said discussions ought to start once there was a new Tunisian government.
More than 5,000 Tunisians arrived in Lampedusa following the January 14 ousting of their long-time President and a breakdown in coastal patrols.
“We have obtained solidarity in Europe, in conformity with European values, and this must be kept up. It is very important European member states show their solidarity with Malta and Greece and countries on the southern border of the EU,” he said.