Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this morning that countries which refuse to take back migrants who are not eligible for protection should be sanctioned, and that countries who collaborate and take migrants who are refused protection back should be given further aid.
He spoke during a call-in interview on ONE radio.
He explained that the migration phenomenon is one that "we have to live with. It is true Europe is not doing enough, but only Europe is doing something".
He urged other countries from other continents to carry part of the weight, stating that Asia and North America also have a similar migration problem. He reiterated his call for global quotas.
He explained that the issue of compulsory burden sharing has now been settled in the EU, and that not many migrants were coming to Malta. Out of solidarity, Malta would receive 189 migrants from other countries spread over the next two years he explained. This is a number Malta can handle, he added. "If Malta were to have its own crises, it would then expect the same kind of solidarity".
Government is currently preparing for the upcoming budget, he said. "Every budget has a focus on the electoral manifesto. Each budget is leaving its effects. For example, we now have the lowest unemployment rate in 20 years".
Turning to infrastructure, the Prime Minister said - "our infrastructure was always based on a 400,000 population, however in August, at any one time, this went up to around 700,000. We must work to improve it".
As for the PN's pre-budget document, "if a Form 3 student submitted it, he would have failed the test," the Prime Minister said.
Dr Muscat highlighted that the document had many errors. "The Opposition leader either did not understand what he was writing or was taken for a ride. There are points worth considering, but there are other points that are laughable".
As an example - "The opposition leader wants to give free lunches to vulnerable children. So then, we are to enter a stage where we divide children based on their background". He said this would create a stigma and would be similar to the electricity tariff vouchers in the past. "It would be like a Victory Kitchen".
He also did not agree with the PN's proposal for energy tariffs to be determined by the fluctuation in international fuel prices.
"The PN want to raise the price of ODZ land. So then if one is ready to pay that price he would be able to develop it. This would result in a tremendous amount of speculation and we do not agree with it".
He said this year's budget will continue to build on previous budgets, aim to keep expanding the economy, reduce unemployment, improve working conditions and will keep the middle class in mind.
We will continue working to have, next week, a budget that continues to build on last'years, to keep expanding the economy, reducing unemployment and better conditions, to think of the middle class
PN statement
The PN said that the comments made regarding the child of Form 3 show just how stubborn the Prime Minister is. "Instead of looking at the proposals, he throws out all that is presented".
"The document was praised by everyone, except Joseph Muscat". The PN said that the Prime Minister and Transport Minister Joe Mizzi have failed and that a Form 3 student would be better able to manage the traffic situation.