EU 'must share burden of asylum'

[Kernunnos]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Given the geographical location, Turks and Albanians are likely to target Croatia for immigration.

Through the Trieste corridor all the african scum will penetrate the Balkans. Italy is open territory and Slovenia is not bad as a target for economic immigrants/invaders.

[Ederico]

Thanks for the info Breha, so Frattini is not only an ex-socialist from the Craxi days, one of the Berlusconian "centre-right" Forza Italia which takes that position for commercial interests and just keeps a conservative stance for political opportunism, but is also a freemason? Well, rereading what I just wrote the masonic connection doesn't seem out of place.

He doesn't like Malta because we're too Catholic for his liking perhaps, in general at least.

[Menydh]

26 more immigrants have been rescued at sea, 90 n. miles from the coasts of Lybia, by another Spanish fishing trawler.

One of the immigrants died when he threw himself to the sea to provoke the rescue.

At the moment, the Spanish trawler is in Tripoli, Lybia. They are waiting to see if the Lybian authorities agree to take the immigrants.

The strange thing is that, from what I read in the news, the Spanish fishermen came close to the boat of immigrants to help them, but then they had to take the immigrants in because their boat started sinking.

Much as this is speculation on my side, I suppose that since they were 90 n. miles from the coasts of Lybia, they fishermen's intention might have been to tow them nearer to the coast. Then the immigrants might have damaged their boat on purpose, to force the fishermen to take them in.

Even if that wasn't the case, it won't take long until immigrants know that their ticket into Europe is being rescued in international waters.

Also, 332 immigrants arrived last morning to the Island of Lampedusa, Italy. 279 were found by the coastguards 10 n. miles from the island. Only 11 were women and there were numerous underaged immigrants.

I bet that this is going to be a particularly busy summer.

[Ederico]

The Times & The Sunday Times, Malta

Illegal migration

EU should do more to help Malta - Barroso

Ivan Camilleri


European Commission President José Manuel Barroso told The Times yesterday that the EU, particularly its member states, should be doing more to help Malta deal with illegal immigration.


Speaking to The Times in Brussels a few hours before catching the evening Air Malta flight to Malta for a series of meetings today, Mr Barroso admitted that the problem of illegal immigration is a huge challenge and Europe needs to do much more to help Malta.


"Let me tell you straight and plain that I fully understand the frustration that Malta and the Maltese people feel over the issue," he said.


According to Mr Barroso, the challenge is also a big one for the entire EU as, so far, it was unprepared to tackle the problem on such a large scale. Recalling that he has been insisting with EU leaders since 2005 to commit themselves and their countries to tackle the issue collectively, Mr Barroso said member states should come more forward to help.


"The Commission does not have any ships or planes to send to Malta and we have to depend on the solidarity of member states. I am urging them to do so. It is clear that more solidarity from member states is needed."


But is solidarity simply the latest EU buzzword?


"Some progress has been achieved and we will soon start a Frontex mission around Malta to give a helping hand. But, I agree, and I do share the frustration of the Maltese people, that more has to be done. And this will be my message to all the heads of state and of government next week at the upcoming summit. This is not only a Maltese problem but it is a problem for the EU and we have to tackle it collectively."


Mr Barroso said he is very impressed by Malta's rapid integration within the EU structures and the way it is managing to make its voice heard.


"Malta is doing well and it is clearly punching above its weight," he said, adding that the island brings to the EU some natural vacations, mentioning specifically the maritime sector as one of the most important Maltese vocations valued by the EU. Mr Barroso also described Malta's achievement in meeting the criteria allowing it to adopt the euro as a big and well-deserved success.


"I think Malta has made a success by being prepared to join the euro and I am delighted that, in a few days' time, I am going to the European Council to formally propose Malta's membership of the euro area. This is well deserved because Malta has made excellent preparations and it also shows that Malta is a very reliable partner to the European Union. I think this is also good for Malta as it provides an anchor for security and stability."


Next week's summit, when the German presidency ends, is considered as one of the most crucial for the EU in the past years because leaders have to agree on the way forward on the defunct draft Constitution. Acknowledging that it will be a difficult task, Mr Barroso is confident that a compromise will be found.


"We need to see if we are able to find an acceptable compromise. So I am urging all the EU leaders to make a real effort because it is important to have a more efficient Europe in decision making. We need to settle and close this matter and I am confident that we can strike a deal."
Mr Barroso refuses to even imagine the possibility of a deal not materialising.


"I don't want to talk on a failing scenario but let's work for a deal. Of course, it will not be the end of the road as this will be a mandate for a new intergovernmental conference and there will still be time for some adjustments but I think that all the positions are there now and the political will should also be there. It is not one of the issues that we can postpone," he warned.


Mr Barroso said that, through enlargement, the EU has become a stronger voice in the EU and everyone is now looking at the European continent as a strong partner of 27 states and a trading partner of 500 million. This is why the EU needs a new mechanism to work so that it can become even more efficient.


"We will also become stronger with new rules and a new way of doing things," Mr Barroso concluded.

The whole interview with Mr Barroso will be aired on Allied Newspapers' TV programme Tieqa fuq l-Ewropa on Television Malta next Tuesday at 10 p.m. It can also be viewed as from today at The Times & The Sunday Times, Malta .

[Ederico]

Interview mentioned in last post is in English, so whoever is interested can view it.

[Arthur Gordon Pym]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

It's easy to know what will happen. You'll get so full of immigrants that a wave of nostalgy for the old Yugoslavia will invade your hearts.

No, a wave of nostalgy for the old Yugoslavia won't invade our hearts. During Yugoslavia's time, we got immigration of Albanians from Kosovo, because it was one country, there were no borders, so they could come to live here. In addition, many students from Africa came to study here, we had to finance them, because that was the constituent part of Yugoslavia's "non-alligned policy".

Since independence all of this stopped.

[AnfangerUS]

Originally Posted by Aptrgangr

BBC NEWS | Europe | EU \'must share burden of asylum\'

There is an answer and a spin on policy that could curtail this phenomenon. First for humanitarian reasons the policy of large quotas of asylum seekers should be stopped. Only those facing imminent genocide should be granted safe haven on a completely temporary basis. If the EU decided to actually solve the problems in the home countries of these asylum seekers it would truly end the problems of the asylum seekers and the nations of Europe. It would save money in welfare programs, unemployment, and border control. It would create more viable trading partners and markets abroad. By allowing fast track asylum and a welcoming atmosphere Europe is actually inviting more people to drown in the Mediterranean. There should be a coordianted effort of "true" conservative effort, money, and logistics to influence the politics in the EU members who tend to be more conservative and smaller. It would yield results and through those EU votes would overall influence the policies of other member states.