Malta ‘will leave no stone unturned’ to ensure common migration approach - Abela

Home Affairs minister Carmelo Abela has insisted that migration and security are best dealt with a common European strategic approach and enhanced cooperation between European countries.

“Irregular migration is a challenge that can only be better controlled and managed through a common strategy agreed upon among all EU member states and our international partners,” the minister said.

Abela was speaking at the end of cordial discussions with the Greece Minister of National Defence, Panos Kammenos, on Thursday. Abela’s visit to Greece follows the Athens Summit earlier this month which saw Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat join the leaders of Greece, France, Cyprus, Portugal and Italy discuss migration and security.

Abela, who was accompanied by Malta’s Ambassador to Greece, Joseph Cuschieri, and the Ministry’s International Affairs Political Coordinator, Alessandro Mangion, insisted that Malta “would leave no stone unturned” to encourage a united approach to tackle migration.

“During its Presidency of the EU, Malta will leave no stone unturned to encourage a consensus on the EU’s way forward in dealing with both the internal and external dimensions of Migration. We need to ensure that those migrants who deserve asylum or protection receive them without unnecessary delay and are integrated into our communities, while those who do not qualify are returned as expeditiously as possible.”

“In the meantime, the root causes of irregular migration must be tackled seriously, also in the light of the Action Plan set out by the November 2015 Valletta Summit on Migration, in collaboration with the countries of origin and transit,” Abela said.

The minister and his Greek counterpart, Panos Kammenos, agreed that the two countries should explore possibilities of further enhancing defence cooperation between Southern European states such as Malta, Greece, Italy and Cyprus.

While in Greece, Minister Abela also visited the government-run Eleonas temporary refugee centre which houses 2,300 predominantly Afghan and Syrian refugees and asylum-seekers.

Minister Abela also met the Greek Minister of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, Panagiotis Kouroumblis, who was accompanied by Alternate Minister of Immigration Policy, Ioannis Mouzalas, and Alternate Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection, Nikos Toskas. Both sides exchanged views on the way forward for the EU’s policies vis-à-vis migration and asylum.

The meetings were held during a one-day visit to the Greek capital on Thursday. Talks also focused on shared experiences, know-how and approach with regard to migration via the Mediterranean Sea and the security at the EU’s southern border.