Malta is at the heart of various issues concerning the Mediterranean – especially due to its strategic position – and should be a source of inspiration for all Europe, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said yesterday.
Mr Fillon, was speaking during a joint news conference, with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, held at Castille after a short two-day working visit that ends today.
“Together we must, and can, solve the environmental and economic problems in the Mediterranean through the implementation of the Mediterranean Union,” he said.
“The Mediterranean Union is essential for Europe and will create projects that will improve and strengthen the infrastructure or control pollution for example,” said Mr Fillon.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Gonzi said that, during a meeting held with Mr Fillon, they discussed issues concerning the upcoming French presidency and issues of common interest to both countries.
Dr Gonzi pointed out that Malta has always been at the forefront in pushing forward political stability and economic progress in the Mediterranean region.
The two prime ministers also discussed the issue of irregular migration. Dr Gonzi said that the French presidency will focus on specific initiatives taken by the EU member states that will address this problem.
“These issues don’t only include Frontex patrols but also burden sharing and repatriation of migrants who are not granted refugee or humanitarian status,” he said.
Dr Gonzi said that, during the meeting, the excellent relations between Malta and France were reconfirmed and added that he is looking forward to strengthening this relationship.
The French prime minister said that there were two main objectives behind his working visit. The first was to discuss and present the aims of the French government just before it takes over the EU presidency on 1 July.
The second aim, explained Mr Fillon, was to discuss the eventual implementation of the initiatives of the highly criticised Mediterranean Union, which will be launched in July.
During the meeting, Mr Fillon extended French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s invitation to Dr Gonzi to attend the opening ceremony on 13 July that will officially launch the Mediterranean Union.
Mr Fillon said the talks took in irregular migration, and the relaunch of Operation Nautilus, an EU-Malta initiative in 2007 to help Malta deal with the influx of irregular immigrants.
“The French presidency will push forward the sensitive issue of burden sharing with other countries,” he said.
Trade was also discussed. The French prime minister pointed out that France is Malta’s number one partner in trade, with large companies such as ST Microelectronics and CMA CGM operating in Malta.
“We have to tackle and address the urgent problem of climate change and EU security,” he added.
He also spoke about the importance of reaching a common agreement on a migration policy between all EU countries, improving the mobility of citizens in all EU countries, the EU’s defence system and modernising the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Referring to the Mediterranean Union, Dr Gonzi said that Malta welcomed this initiative as it places it at the heart of all matters concerning the Mediterranean and added that it will take it a step further with neighbouring countries.
“It is an initiative that will help the region become more stable – Malta has to be at the forefront to help achieve stability in the Mediterranean,” he said.
Dr Gonzi also referred to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, which has the main office in Malta. He also mentioned the very important meeting held in Malta a few months ago where EU state officials met members of the Arab League in the EU-Arab League ministerial meeting.
Speaking about the issue of irregular migration, Dr Gonzi said he hoped that the value of solidarity within the EU will be translated into concrete proposals for burden sharing.
“Malta cannot cope on its own with this burden and concrete action needs to be taken concerning the repatriation of migrants who are not granted humanitarian or refugee status,” he said.
Mr Fillon agreed and said that border countries are designated to staunch large flows of immigrants.
“Once these are stopped then we have to look at repatriation, when it is possible,” he said.
However, he added, when this is not possible then a number of rules have to be implemented so that Malta will not have to face this problem alone and France is ready to shoulder its responsibility.