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Following the European Parliament’s adoption of the Malta resolution on illegal immigration, a small yet significant step forward has been registered. While the problem has not been solved, thanks to the work of all our MEPs, all lobbying within their own political groups, it has been eased and placed finally on the European agenda. It is now clearly in government’s hands to exert all the necessary political pressure and influence to ensure that ministers of all the other 24 countries are persuaded and convinced that the burden should be shared equally by all member states. Clearly, following the vote the problem is not just that of Malta but of the whole community. Solidarity between all states deserves nothing less. We are not alone!
The problem has long been on the local political agenda. It was always clear to all that a small nation like ours with limited human and financial resources would always be in a difficult position to handle a problem of such magnitude. Indeed the resources of the armed forces have been stretched to the limit creating an explosive situation on the armed forces and most especially on the immigrants and asylum seekers themselves who have always publicly affirmed that it was never their intention to come to Malta in the first place.
Once the delegation from the civil liberties committee came to Malta to analyse and look into the matter it became a different ball game. They were shocked at the conditions under which the immigrants were living and censored our government in no small manner. We augur that such conditions will be ameliorated without any unnecessary delays. In fairness, they were happy to highlight government’s transparency in showing them the situation, as it really is, warts and all. Their shock clearly triggered their resolve to ensure that Europe appreciates not only the conditions under which they were living but that determined European action follows. The resolution is the first in a series of actions which needs to be taken. The force of the resolution, although passed by an overwhelming majority, is limited albeit morally persuasive. All guns now need to be directed at the nominated non-elected European Commission and the Council, which is where effective power in Europe resides. The task is daunting, in effect Malta is seeking to derogate its obligations under the Dublin II convention. This would classify our country as a transit state and no longer as a country of destination. The consequences are far reaching since as a result immigrants who arrive here could be moved on to other European countries and have their applications processed on the European mainland and not in Malta.
This is a gigantic step forward. It will lessen all the financial social economic strains on our infrastructure and resources. The civil liberties committee following their visit were all too aware that our small and highly densely populated country couldn’t afford this influx. The imminent summer season will only further aggravate the situation. It is equally important that the commission appreciates the local social and financial strains. It may not be as easy as we hope. After all the Frattini package of measures including the setting up of an emergency fund and joint maritime patrols in the Mediterranean sea, have been long in coming.
The pressures now need to be put on the political level. Government from now on needs to put into action a well thought out and planned political action plan. Lobbying at every and each political level through our ministers, ambassadors and every possible lobbying group. The matter must be given the top priority status it deserves. The extraordinary meeting of justice and home affairs ministers in Malta could serve to further galvanise the commission into accepting to implement all the recommendations of the European parliament. Malta deserves nothing less. The recent address by Malta’s President to the special sitting of the European Parliament is case in point and is highly relevant to the plight our country is facing. The speech was that of a statesman calling upon the European institutions to regain the trust of the people. He asked for Europe to listen and not just talk. The institutions must reconnect with the people. How very true this is. Too ironical perhaps.
People in Malta prior to this European Parliamentary resolution were feeling that Europe was not listening to our plight. It was simply talking and was oblivious to our concerns. In a subliminal reference to our immigration crisis he rightly called for even-handedness and new common initiatives by Europe to the new challenges, which individual countries cannot face on their own. He urged Europe to interact and by doing so to give a voice to reason.
This is the Europe that Malta wants to be a part of. This is the Europe, which the electorate voted in favour of joining. We were recently assured by Margot Wallstrom, the commissioner for institutional relations and communications strategy that Europe is listening. Let’s hope the President’s words do not fall on deaf ears.
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