Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President René van der Linden said full European support is to be given to Spain, Italy, Malta and other Mediterranean countries in the front line of mass arrivals of illegal immigrants.
While stating that "new record level arrivals of sub-Saharan migrants on the Canary Isles require European responses and European solutions," President René van der Linden added that burden sharing and European migration management strategies are essential.
"European countries need to share the burden of dealing with these arrivals on a humanitarian front and also as part of a common European migration management strategy. This strategy has to include concrete assistance for countries of origin so as to tackle the root causes of migration and provide greater prospects for would be migrants in their home countries,” stated the PACE President.
He also emphasised the need to respect the human rights of these arrivals, notably by providing suitable reception conditions and ensuring that return programmes to the countries of origin are conducted in full compliance with human rights standards. He pledged the support of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly to examine strategies for dealing with mass arrivals of migrants in Europe.
Over 19,000 sub-Saharan migrants had reached the shores of the Canary Isles this year.
Earlier this week, details for the Frontex joint-sea patrols in Mediterranean waters were decided upon during at two day meeting in Valletta. Although no date has been established, it is hoped that the patrols kick-off in mid-September.
In turn, a crucial meeting between Malta, Libya and Italy will be held during on the 6th of September to discuss problems illegal immigration is posing to each of the three countries.
See also:
Plan for joint sea patrols laid down
By MaltaMedia News
Aug 30, 2006, 10:58 CET
Tripartite immigration meeting set for September
By MaltaMedia News
Aug 27, 2006, 10:54 CET
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