Berlusconi tells Gonzi, ‘I’m coming to Malta... to revive my good times’

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has pledged to visit Malta shortly, stressing that he wanted to revive the “good times” he had on the island as a tourist years back before entering politics.

Speaking during a joint press conference with Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi following official talks at Villa Madama in Rome, Berlusconi dwelt on illegal immigration, and hailed his government’s achievement by reaching an agreement with Tripoli for the immediate repatriation of migrants intercepted at sea.

Countries like Malta – Berlusconi said – have benefitted immensely from the Italo-Libyan agreement to the extent that migrant arrivals were almost zero this year.

The Italian premier stressed that illegal immigration is a “common EU problem” that must be tackled as a community.

Both Berlusconi and Gonzi were tough on the EU, insisting that “Europe must work out a common, credible strategy to counter the phenomenon.”

They stressed that it was “unacceptable” that the EU considers migration as a southern Mediterranean problem.

Meanwhile, both leaders expressed satisfaction at the ‘excellent’ relations that Malta and Italy share.

Prime Minister Gonzi augured that the Mediterranean Union will serve to create more dialogue between EU-Mediterranean states, and the neighbouring countries.

During the talks, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Foreign minister Tonio Borg and Home affairs minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici, while Prime Minister Berlusconi was accompanied by foreign minister Franco Frattini, home affairs minister Roberto Maroni, and defense minister Ignazio La Russa.

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Martin Scicluna
Benvenuto a Malta. Malta siamo con voi
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Don't you mean 'relive' rather than 'revive'?
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Albert Zammit
Fathers, keep your young daughters locked up at home - Berlusconi is visiting!
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Luke Camilleri
Wonder of Wonders, Dr. Silvio Berlusconi coming to Malta... to revive the good times and possibly even with Dr. Gonzi and Kate. The paparazzi will certainly have a heyday knowing that Silvio Berlusconi will be coming over to Malta to revive the good times ...and with whom? Maybe he could also give some tips and discuss with his good friend to Dr Gonzi on how to block divorce legislation in Gonzipn Catholic Malta : ) Maybe Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi might also bring with him the six lap dancers who entertained him in his hotel during an official visit to Brazil. http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/World/20100703/1540026.html : )