In a meeting with resident European Union (EU) Ambassadors in Malta, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo made strong representations on illegal immigration. The Minister insisted the European Union delivers the actions that were agreed between all EU Heads of State and Governments during the December 2005 EU Council. He asked all Ambassadors present during the meeting to convey the message to their respective Capitals.
During the urgent meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday afternoon, Minister Michael Frendo stated "Since 20 June, Malta has witnessed the arrival of over 500 illegal immigrants from North Africa. This amount brings the number of illegal immigrants arriving in Malta since January 2006 to 967, almost double the figures of 473 last year,” explained the Foreign Minister, adding that “Relatively speaking, 967 illegal immigrants in Malta translate into the arrival of 135,380 in Italy, 145,050 in France, 96,700 in Spain and 198,235 in Germany. This is the magnitude of the problem of illegal immigration in Malta where the population density is 1,200 per square kilometre."
Minister Michael Frendo stated that last December, the European Council adopted “The Global Approach to Migration: Priority Actions focusing on Africa and the Mediterranean” which envisaged a comprehensive response to the major concerns related to the problem of illegal immigration, particularly, following the influx experienced by the country in 2005. However he added that the large numbers of illegal immigrants arriving in Malta are not only stretching the island's humanitarian responsibilities beyond the limits but also have serious security implications for Malta as illustrated by recent incidents at detention centres.
Outlining a series of expectations, Minister Frendo explained that Malta believes that Frontex should immediately launch joint sea patrols in the central Mediterranean in an attempt to stem the flow of illegal migrants and to transmit the message that concrete action is under way also in respect of this route.
The Foreign Minister also explained that although Malta welcomes the Euro-African Conference on Migration and Development to be held on 10th and 11th July in Rabat, this is being viewed not as an end in itself, but as the start of a long and arduous process. He added that Malta deeply regrets the selectivity of the invitee list since it excludes other countries which are themselves major countries of origin of illegal migration across the Mediterranean such as those located in East Africa. In the light of this, he stated that Malta is insisting on the convening of an EU-African Ministerial Conference in Tripoli, under the aegis of the EU and AU. "In this regard, it is now essential that the matter is followed up and that such a date be set immediately before the meeting in Rabat. Attempts must be resisted to deflect attention away from this event," articulated Minister Frendo.
Finally, the Minister stated that Malta is urging the European Union to provide further assistance to Member States facing massive influxes of illegal immigrants through the provision of emergency funds and the dispatch of rapid reaction teams in order to assist the local authorities deal with emergency situations. He added that partners are to provide assistance to facilitate the repatriation process of illegal immigrants originating from East Africa.
Read more about this issue on MaltaMedia's special feature:
Lanċa Ġejja u Oħra Sejra: Malta and its migrations.
See also:
EU lacks commitment for illegal immigration problem - Minister Frendo
By MaltaMedia News
Jun 30, 2006, 19:49 CET
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