Alternattiva Demokratika have said that they applaud the friendship agreement signed on Saturday between Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Libyan President Muammar Ghaddafi.

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party Chairperson, said, “The signing of this treaty not only brings to an end the historic differences in the past between Italy and Libya, but should also start a new era of cooperation between Libya, Italy and the EU with regards to the issue of irrregular migration.”

“We really look forward to Libya taking part in joint missions with Italy, Malta and other EU countries in the Mediterranean sea to break up the tremendous racket of human traffickers that are exploiting people and using them as a source of illegal enrichment,” continued Prof. Cassola.

Mark Scerri, Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson on International Affairs, added, “The signing of this treaty is really good news. Next week, in the European Parliament, there should be further good news when the report of Green MEP Jean Lambert will be voted upon.”

In her report, Jean Lambert has specifically addressed the need for increased responsibility sharing amongst the 27 EU member countries of the EU. She also states that we must consider whether the present Dublin system is really ‘fit for purpose’ since it would appear that the system is assigning a disproportionate amount of responsibility towards Member States at the borders of the EU, like Malta, and whilst Dublin II clarifies which Member State is responsible for examining the asylum claim, there are no real mechanisms for providing these States support.

“Hopefully”, concluded Arnold Cassola, “this week could be a positive week as regards progress in tackling the difficult migration issue, which the Maltese people have to face.”

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