Malta’s request to activate an emergency mechanism that triggers obligatory solidarity among all EU member states in cases of a sudden influx of migrants was yesterday rejected by EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.
Just back in Brussels from her two-day visit to Tunisia, Ms Malmström did not mince words: “There is not yet an emergency situation and so there is no need to activate the EU’s temporary protection mechanism.
“The number of immigrants coming to Europe from Libya has to be much higher. Currently, we see no need to activate the temporary protection directive,” she said, in a direct snub of Malta’s request.
Just over 800 people from Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia made it to Malta from Libya on three wooden boats within the space of 24 hours earlier this week.
According to European Commission sources, Malta last Wednesday officially asked Brussels to submit a proposal to member states to activate the temporary protection directive.
This would mean the refugees could be given temporary protection status of up to two years and be relocated to other member states.
This mechanism, in place since 2001, has never so far been put into practice. Activating it requires a formal proposal by the Commission and an endorsement of a qualified majority of member states.
The Commission has ruled out the possibility of putting forward such a proposal, at least for the time being.
Malta is thought to be alone in asking for it, as not even Italy, which has seen thousands of Tunisians and Libyans crossing over to Lampedusa, supports the idea.
According to Italy’s Permanent Representative to the EU Ferdinando Nelli Feroci, “there is not yet a massive influx” of migrants which could justify activating the mechanism.
Asked directly whether Italy would back Malta’s call, Mr Nelli Feroci said “so far, the situation is being examined in Rome and we don’t think the conditions are met to trigger the temporary protection mechanism”.
The Commission’s decision to wait for more immigrants to arrive in Malta and Italy before acting was harshly criticised by Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil when he addressed an international conference, organised by the European Policy Centre, on the issue in Brussels.
“I don’t think the Commission is taking the right attitude. It should come forward with a proposal and throw it at the Council (of ministers),” Dr Bussutil told the floor.
“It is easy and convenient for some here in Brussels to think the picture is being over-dramatised. But if you were in Lampedusa or Malta, you would see things at close range and you would have a different take on things,” he said.
The matter is expected to be discussed directly with Ms Malmström on Monday during an urgent debate at the European Parliament on a joint initiative taken by Sicilian MEP Salvatore Iacolino and Dr Busuttil.
EU home affairs ministers will then be meeting in Luxembourg on April 11 and the situation is on their agenda.