'Without EU, Malta's migration problems could be worse' - Joe Borg

Joe Borg, former EU Commissioner for Fisheries, said that without the EU's intervention, Malta's migration issues could be worse.

Borg was speaking at a conference this morning commemorating Malta's EU accession. The European Parliament Information Office and The Today Public Policy Institute jointly organized the conference to discuss Malta's experience since its accession to the EU ten years ago.

"Even though people like to criticize the EU's migration policies, it is not as though the problem would be resolved if the EU were not involved," Borg said. "In fact the EU has helped by giving us financial aid and a forum on which we can voice our concerns. Without the EU, we would be facing the same problems but without the benefit of that support."

Malta, he said, would still be a migration route, with or without EU membership.

MEPs Marlene Mizzi and Therese Comodini Cachia also addressed the conference. Mizzi said that her S&D party only backed Juncker in his bid for EC Presidency after he assured them that he would give high priority to immigration. 

Comodini Cachia said that there was a need for long-term EU development within African countries to get to the root of the immigration problem and that Malta must act as a key player in any such strategy.