MEP Joseph Cuschieri recently put forward a written Parliamentary question to the European Commission with a query on Commission action to help Malta with illegal immigration.

The MEP said, “I refer to the large-scale operations by the Armed Forces of Malta on 3 and 9 July 2013 in which, respectively, 290 migrants and a further 100 or more were brought ashore in Malta.”

He pointed out that, “these events reflect the impending crisis situation developing in Malta as a consequence of the large influx of migrants coming by boat from Africa. A strong stand has been taken by the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, who called for solidarity from the EU on the migration issue, a stand that has been communicated formally to the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy.”

The MEP said, “the current situation is evidence that burden-sharing of irregular immigrants and asylum-seekers in the European Union is failing and that the immigration challenge for Malta, an island on the border of Europe and Africa, continues to grow by the day.”

“In view of this urgent scenario, can the Commission explain how it proposes to alleviate the plight of Malta and other countries facing a similar situation?”

MEP Joseph Cuschieri concluded, “can the Commission give details of how it is prepared to assist the Maltese islands in dealing with this emerging crisis scenario?”

Commissioner Cecilia Malmström replied on behalf of the Commission saying, “the European Commission is fully aware of the particular pressures facing Malta’s immigration system with the arrival of a high number of migrants on Maltese shores. The Commission also recognises that Malta receives the largest number of asylum applicants as a percentage of the population of any Member State within the EU.”

“Malta has therefore been the focus of the European Commission’s efforts to assist Member States in dealing with migratory pressures,” the Commissioner said.

“As a result,” the Commissioner said, “Malta received EUR 84.9M from the SOLID Funds 2007-13. The European Refugee Fund funded actions focus on increasing capacity of reception centres, the provision of material aid and medical care in the centres and measures to streamline the treatment of asylum applications.”

The Commissioner explained that “with the support of the Return Fund and the External Borders Fund, Malta has also been able to carry out voluntary return programmes, forced return activities and investments in infrastructure and equipment ensuring efficient and secure management of the flow at the external borders.”

“Finally, Malta can, under the SOLID funds, make immediate requests to the Commission for additional financial assistance in order to respond to emergency situation,” Ms Malmström said.

“The Commission has also made a plea to other Member States to assist Malta in dealing with the inflow, via the relocation of beneficiaries of international protection from Malta to other Member States. “

Commissioner Malmström pointed out that relocation is one of the “most tangible acts of solidarity available to Member States. EU relocation efforts have so far allowed around 690 persons who have applied for asylum in Malta since 2005 to be relocated elsewhere.”

The most recent relocation from Malta took place on 16 July. Member States will be convened on 25 September at a relocation forum to discuss relocation issues,” Ms Malmström concluded.

File photograph – AFM

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