In the Press: Valletta Summit - EU tops up migration fund

Headlines are dominated by the European Union’s decision to pledge an additional €78 million to trust fund for migration, set up during the Valletta Summit on Migration, which concluded yesterday. The fund will top up the €1.8 billion already set aside by the European Commission for the repatriation of failed asylum claims and for projects designed for e development in Africa.

Times of Malta

The EU’s Attorney General Yves Bot, has concluded that Malta has infringed EU rules in reducing pensions received by Maltese people who had served with the British forces. Should the conclusion be backed by EU judges, Malta may have to pay millions in denied pension payments. Those affected have been protesting against pension cuts for over 30 years now, and the paper reports that the final judgement by the European Court of Justice, is expected early next year.

L-Orizzont

French president Francois Hollande and Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi spent some time during the Valletta summit admiring the view outside the Mediterranean Conference centre. The paper also noted that Renzi had been criticised for an apparent lack of participation during the event, as he spent much of yesterday outside the building, and refused to make a comment to the press.

Various NGOs and humanitarian organisations that participated in the summit have said that despite all the nice rhetoric used over the past days, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The paper reports the organisations expressing hope that the promises and plans made will actually be followed through.

In-Nazzjon

European Council president Donald Tusk said that EU was the only bloc of countries proposing and enacting initiatives when being faced by the troublesome migration crisis. The paper notes the five priorities of the action plan laid down to battle the phenomenon; the roots of the problem need to be addressed by strengthening economic and social development in countries of origin, legal migration and reception facilities need to be strengthened the world over. The paper adds that other priorities include bolstering the fight against human trafficking through better border control, as well as better cooperation to facilitate returns policies and reintegration systems.

The Malta Independent

Schengen rules need to be changed to safeguard the free movement of people and to ensure that migrants moved through burden sharing mechanisms will not profit from current rules and move wherever they please. Speaking in response to criticism that the additional €78 million in funds is ‘pitiful’ Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that he wished member states would go beyond matching the €1.8 billion, but added that he wished governments could contribute more funds.