'EU must act quickly on migration' - Dalli

MEP Miriam Dalli said that there was a need for the EU to have concrete initiatives quickly, as time was an important factor.

MEP Miriam Dalli (Photo: Ray Attard)
MEP Miriam Dalli (Photo: Ray Attard)

MEP Miriam Dalli has called on the European Union to act quickly in the wake of the unprecedented increase in irregular migration across the Mediterranean and the tragedies that have befallen many trying to make the journey to Europe.

Dalli was speaking at a meeting the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) had with Matthias Ruete, Director General of the European Commission for Home Affairs.

During the meeting, the Committee discussed the work of the Task Force in the Mediterranean. Dalli said that while the pilot projects being identified are a positive step in analyzing the situation, there was a need for the EU to have concrete initiatives quickly, as time was an important factor.

Referring to the ‘supported processing’ initiative, that would see the processing of applications for asylum, Dalli urged the EU to focus on the joint processing of these applications. She called for a pooling of resources in order to make progress and for the implementation of measures aimed at reducing human trafficking and organized crime.

Dalli praised Italy’s Operation Mare Nostrum, which has saved thousands of lives at sea, at a cost of about €9 million a month and increasing pressure on the country’s resources. She called on the Italian minister for home affairs Angelo Alfano to make clear what Italy expected from the EU and the rules of engagement the operation was following.