Speaking in the European Union (EU) Council of Minsters for Justice and Internal Affairs, Maltese Minister Tonio Borg stated that Malta needs immediate financial help to finance the capital sum for illegal immigrants’ detention centres. Although the Minister welcomed EU Commissioner Franco Frattini’s recent proposal for joint sea-patrolling, he stated that these are only one form of solidarity.
The Justice and Internal Affairs Minister added that Malta should not be expected to be a solitary patroller of the Southern European Frontiers.
Minister Tonio Borg outlined the problem of illegal immigrants influxes is in Malta by stating that the arrival of 650 asylum seekers in Malta last June can be compared to the arrival of 220,000 immigrants in Germany.
In the recent weeks, Malta’s Foreign Minister Michael Frendo urged the EU to do more for Malta’s surmounting illegal immigration crisis. On Tuesday Maltese Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi and his Italian counterpart Romano Prodi are expected to meet to discuss the issue of illegal immigration.
See also:
EU measures to fight illegal immigration
By MaltaMedia News
Jul 19, 2006, 16:01 CET
Foreign Minister urges for joint patrolling
By MaltaMedia News
Jul 17, 2006, 20:13 CET
Gonzi and Prodi to discuss illegal immigration
By MaltaMedia News
Jul 8, 2006, 12:00 CET
