The EU has a responsibility towards people risking their lives but “we cannot open our doors to everyone”, EU President Donald Tusk said at the end of a whirlwind visit to Malta yesterday.
“The European Union has a responsibility to help those in danger, and we do. However, most important for us is the security and stability of the member state countries, such as Malta,” Mr Tusk said.
He was addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat after a working lunch at Auberge de Castille yesterday. They discussed the situation of unrest in Libya and EU action in the Mediterranean ahead of an anticipated unprecedented exodus of migrants fleeing the embattled North African country this year.
The most important for us is the security and stability of the member state countries, such as Malta
His words underlined the present thinking in European circles where security is being prioritised over all else. One of the options being mooted is the imposition of a European blockade that would see a naval force along the Libyan coast stopping migrants, oil and arms smuggling.
Neither of the leaders addressed this point directly when asked about it yesterday. However, both pointed out that European action was contingent on a political solution which addresses the ongoing divide that has seen two broad factions develop two competing parliaments, governments and armies in the West and East of the country.
Currently, the two sides and a host of other stakeholders are being led in peace talks by UN Special Representative Bernardino Leon in what is being described as a “decisive round” of talks.
However, there is the possibility a coalition government will be agreed without all the parties on board. Diplomatic sources said if enough parties, which together represent Libya geographically and demographically, agree to the deal, a partial unity government may be announced and would be recognised by the international community.
Dr Muscat referred to this possibility yesterday in passing, as he and Mr Tusk insisted there was consensus in European capitals but also in Washington that Libyan unity of some sort was an indispensable prerequisite to move forward.
Meanwhile, Dr Muscat said the EU, through its High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, was examining all possible scenarios and would use all possible instruments available to it, including the Common Security and Defence Policy, to take necessary action as required.
All the intelligence shows instability leads to increased migration flows
The Prime Minister said Malta believes any action should have a UN mandate and take the form of a European initiative rather than that of a single member state and have the collaboration of Arab states.
But as the two leaders emphasised the need for a political deal, yesterday it emerged that Italy – whose government has been leading the way in demanding action to help secure Libya – had sent military naval assets off the Libyan coast in a monitoring operation.
Asked by Times of Malta to react to this, Mr Tusk paused for a few seconds before saying that it was “understandable that Italy would be leading the way on this matter, adding that he would be having talks with Italian leader Matteo Renzi.
Dr Muscat also intervened on the point, saying that as far as Malta was informed, the Italian mission, christened Mare Sicuro (Secure Sea) was a monitoring operation that should not be described as an intervention.
He argued that Italy’s initiative should be seen in the context of “the evident failure” of Operation Triton. The operation by EU border patrol agency Frontex replaced Italy’s Mare Nostrum search and rescue operation last November with a fraction of the assets.
He said Triton failed to live up to expectations on the migration issue, and Italy, like Malta, did not want to be caught unawares.
“I don’t like to be alarmist and bandy about figures but all the intelligence, as well as experience, show that instability leads to increased migration flows,” he said.