Updates with PL statement

The European Council conclusion yesterday showed that foot stamping would not get a concrete solution on irregular immigration for Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the Nationalist Party said. It is only through persuasion and on the strength of reasoning that Malta can convince the other members of the EU to take concrete action on the matter, it said.

As expected, the PN added, the Prime Minister left the council without solutions, though these past days he was saying repeatedly that he would not leave the council without concrete solutions. Now that the council has not approved concrete solutions, the Prime Minister is playing for time by saying that another meeting is being held in December.

The PN said the council conclusions do not add anything new to what has been said over the years and in previous council meetings. Actually, it is a step backward because there is not even a reference to Malta specific situation. In several conclusions in the past, reference was made to the special challenge Malta faces. It means that Dr Muscat did not manage to influence the discussion in the council.

Nor do the conclusions mention, if only once, the word  “relocation” of immigrants from Malta to other EU countries. In spite of stamping his feet, Dr Muscat did not convince the European countries to show solidarity and help in relocating irregular migrants. 

In previous years, the PN said, European countries helped Malta by accepting to relocate some 700 irregular immigrants from Malta. In opposition Joseph Muscat used to criticise this. Now no support has been offered in the sector. Dr Muscat did not even manage to get support for voluntary burden sharing, let alone for mandatory burden sharing.

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In reply, the Labour Party said Dr Busuttil is once again on the wrong side of history. The Labour government had been able to put immigration on the EU's agenda.

Much more needs to be done but the PL believed that a solution could be found.