AD says Gaddafi regime blackmailing Europe with asylum seekers

AD's international affairs spokesperson Arnold Cassola said "it is clear" that the Gaddafi regime was resorting to its "known blackmailing tactics" by 'invading' the European continent with asylum seekers.

"In view of the 2,000 Eritreans, Somalis and Sudanese that have fled Tripoli by boat to Italy and Malta in the last four days, the EU should prepare an immediately implementable contingency plan to distribute these asylum seekers amongst the different member states, while any post conflict agreement with Libya should ensure that the new Libyan leadership signs and ratifies the Geneva convention," Cassola said.

Robert Callus, AD spokesperson on migration and citizenship, stated: "The Maltese, Italian and EU authorities should coordinate the reception of these irregular migrants - who are all potential refugees - with UNHCR to ensure a fair distribution amongst the 27 countries of the EU and to prevent the shoving of this responsibility only on the shoulders of Lampedusa and Malta who are being hit disproportionately by this migratory phenomenon."

Chairperson Michael Briguglio said that AD will be raising this issue in the European Green Party council meeting in Budapest in the coming days.