Poland will place illegal immigration at the centre of its priorities during its presidency of the European Union which starts on July 1, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk yesterday pledging to help countries like Malta deal with migrant influxes.
He told Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, during the latter’s official visit to Warsaw, that Poland believed countries like Malta needed assistance from other EU member states.
While an arrival of 800 people in 24 hours last week was not impressive for Poland, he said, one could understand the magnitude of the challenge for a country with a population like Malta’s – it was like 340,000 entering Poland in one day.
This showed how the problem was not only Malta’s but of the EU as a whole, he said. Action must be taken by the EU to help member states in need.
“The EU needs to act to protect countries like Malta,” he said.
Mr Tusk was addressing the media following a meeting with Dr Gonzi at his chancellery in Warsaw.
The two prime ministers discussed other issues to be dealt with during the Polish presidency, including discussions on new financial rules for EU countries.
They declared a “common position” against the introduction of a common EU taxation system and a common corporate tax.
Referring to Poland’s adoption of the euro, Mr Tusk said it was heartening to hear Dr Gonzi say how this had been “an absolutely positive experience for Malta”.
Dr Gonzi noted that on a bilateral level, relations between Malta and Poland had flourished since both countries joined the EU in 2004. Referring to the two bilateral agreements for the avoidance of double taxation and on the prevention of tax evasion signed by Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Dr Gonzi said these would help strengthen business ties between two countries.
Later yesterday, Dr Gonzi officially inaugurated the Maltese embassy in Warsaw, which has been upgraded from the previous consulate and which marks the 40th year of relations between the two countries. The ambassador is Godwin Montanaro.