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Busuttil calls for EU action on immigration influx in Lampedusa
"The EU needs to take immediate measures to show true solidarity with Southern Member States", Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil stressed during today's a debate on the humanitarian emergency that has been caused by the massive migratory flows from Tunisia to the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Busuttil called on Commissioner Malmstrom who participated in the debate to immediately implement a set of measures that would assist Italy.
"Showing solidarity is not optional. It is required by the Treaty", the EPP LIBE spokesperson insisted, referring to Article 80 of the Lisbon Treaty. Busuttil called for the urgent deployment of a Frontex rapid border intervention mission to assist the Italian authorities manage the vast amounts of people crossing over onto European territory.
"The real emergency is not immigration, that's just a consequence," Mario Mauro, Head of the Italian PDL-EPP Delegation explained. "The real emergency is the epochal upheaval that is completely destabilizing the area Maghreb."
Busuttil called on the Commission to prepare and enact a "Marshal Plan" for Tunisia and Egypt. "Such a comprehensive plan would show Tunisians and Egyptians that the EU is there to support them and in return they would be expected to cooperate on the issue of irregular flows of immigration"
MEP Mauro further affirmed "In 1989 we mobilized for Eastern Europe. We must do the same for the Mediterranean. Lampedusa is not only the southern border of Italy, but it is the southern border of the European Union".
MEP Iacolino called for flexilbility and solidarity from the European Commission. The revision of Frontex - currently a work-in-progress of the European Parliament's LIBE Committee - should enhance Frontex powers and turn it into an effective operational instrument capable of managing migration flows. Iacolino also expressed hope that a revised Frontex would conduct repatriation of illegal migrants without unnecessary delays.
