It is May and the migration season has just opened with another capsized migrant boat off Libya, claiming 65 souls, whilst another 85 persons were rescued by the AFM in a separate incident, Partit Demokratiku said in a statement. This implies that the EU continues to fail on its migration and asylum policy for the 17th consecutive year.
“Whilst Member States discuss ad hoc solutions in Brussels, citizens are beginning to realise that the EU is only capable of providing short terms solutions, until the summer is over, and then it is back to square one following May. The only solution to addressing the plights of refugees is for the EU to consolidate its migration and foreign policy, especially vis-a-vis Libya. The EU must prioritise Libya, as it did in Somalia with success, by addressing good governance, poverty and piracy comprehensively. If the EU cannot agree to a Libya policy, strategy, or action plan, how can we ever expect to succeed?” stated PD Secretary General and MEP Candidate Colonel Martin Cauchi Inglott, adding, “Establishing good governance and EU asylum processing centres in Libya is the solution.”
“Climate change is affecting Africa, and the African population will double within 30 years, whilst that of Europe is diminishing. In other words, we cannot expect the phenomena to disappear - so the EU must get its act together. Member States should forget about their egoistic interests in Libya, and indeed Europe, and seek long term solutions,” stated PD Leader Godfrey Farrugia.
“The longer the EU procrastinates, the stronger we can expect the far right to grow as the forthcoming European Parliamentary elections will show.”
“Blocking migrants in the desert or at sea is too late because it is both inhumane and dangerous,” said PD MP Marlene Farrugia. “The problems need to be addressed by the EU in sub-Saharan Africa, but until then, the EU must treat Libya as an equal partner in the game, so migrants do not need to cross the perilous Mediterranean to apply for asylum.”