EU Affairs
MEP welcomes EU Rapid Border Intervention
By MaltaMedia News
Apr 26, 2007 - 10:55:32 AM

Addressing the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Member of the European Parliament  (MEP) Simon Busuttil welcomed a new law which will establish European Rapid Border Intervention Team composed of border guards from EU countries and empowered them to help EU countries that are facing emergency situations with illegal immigration.  

The Chamber voted in favour of the law last Thursday. Dr Busuttil called the new law as a “solidarity instrument” pointing out that the law made it compulsory for EU Member States to help fellow EU countries which face difficulties on immigration.  

“This solidarity is compulsory, it is not optional. This makes it real solidarity. Solidarity is not like charity, which is voluntary; it is a binding commitment,” said the MEP.

Dr Busuttil said that thanks to this law, countries facing emergency situations on immigration will now start to feel that they are no longer completely on their own.  

However, he cautioned that on their own, the Rapid Intervention Teams would not be enough to overcome the challenge of illegal immigration. “External border control is in the interest of all Member States and not just the countries that are facing difficulties. And once it is in everyone’s interest, it must also be everyone’s responsibility, a shared responsibility,” he said.