It is no secret, indeed it has been promised in the Azzjoni Nazzjonali electoral manifesto, that unless the EU translates some of its promises into action within a stipulated time, AN will take unilateral action with regards to illegal immigration.

A government’s first duty is to protect its citizens and not to practice charity. The state is not a philanthropic organisation, AN said yesterday in reply to a statement issued by the Emigrants’ Commission.

If this EU aid is not forthcoming, one of the unilateral measures outlined in our manifesto is the closure of open centres, and the Balzan Open Centre is no exception.

Those who equate the closure of the Balzan open centre with the closure of private property are being disingenuous.

AN in government will simply disallow the use of property, be it private or public as open centres, AN said.

AN asked whether, any applications for a change of use were submitted to MEPA on behalf of the Good Shepherd’s home.

Has anyone asked the residents of Balzan, and for that matter, those of Marsa, Safi and elsewhere, “how they would feel” living in proximity of an Open Centre? Do our people have the freedom and the right to determine the nature of their environs? Or have they already been reduced to second class citizens, AN asked.

Azzjoni Nazzjonali is serious about tackling illegal immigration and makes no apologies about it, it said.