“Malta’s ability to respond to genuine refugee cases is fast being overwhelmed by a huge increase in illegal immigrants who are the object of an international criminal network of human traffickers,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo, addressing the general debate of the 60th United Nations General Assembly held in New York last Wednesday.

Among the several topics he highlighted, the minister explained that due to Malta’s small size and high population density, the problem with illegal immigration can quickly reach crisis proportions.

“We have a strong and long-standing commitment to help those who need humanitarian assistance and we will stand by that,” he said, adding that long-term action in this area needs to be based on respect for human dignity and strict adherence to the rule of law, including international humanitarian law.

“Illegal immigration represents a collapse of the international legal order and must be unequivocally addressed by the world community to ensure that the rule of international law is restored in this regard. Countries of origin and transit need to bear their responsibilities to uphold the law in pursuit of clamping down on international criminal activity in human trafficking,” Dr Frendo continued.

He said that the UN and its agencies, particularly the UNHCR, are called to address this issue which, if ignored, could prove prejudicial to the rights of genuine refugees and people qualifying for humanitarian status in accordance with international law.

The roots of illegal economic migration must also be addressed, he said, since this is a phenomenon which is harmful not only to the individuals themselves but also to the economic and social development of the countries of origin. Therefore, the Summit statement reaffirming the principle of solidarity and burden-sharing with regard to assistance for genuine refugee populations and their host communities is a step in this direction, the minister said.

Dr Frendo also referred to the natural disasters that have hit the world over the past 12 months and said that the way countries respond to such situations is one of the most immediate and visible challenges ahead.

“The tsunami late last year, and Hurricane Katrina just a few weeks ago, are only the most prominent among recent major catastrophes which intensify both our sense of vulnerability and our sense of solidarity,” he said. If handled responsibly, nature’s resources can improve our lives considerably. If, however, these resources are ruthlessly exploited, humanity will be the ultimate loser, the minister continued.

Dr Frendo said that the fight against terrorism also requires international cooperation. “Malta believes that no terrorist action is ever excusable and our action against terrorism must be unequivocal, firm and decisive at all times and in all instances,” he said, adding that there is need for a deep analysis and examination of the roots of this problem.

“Malta is particularly interested in developments relating to the future enlargement of the European Union. Following the entry of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, the next stages of this process could encompass a number of countries in our region such as Croatia and Turkey,” the minister continued.

He said that Malta views the further enlargement of the Union as an impetus for positive reform in European countries and the creation of a wider European area of peace, stability, democracy and human rights dedicated to the prosperity of its peoples in a spirit of solidarity.

“Malta welcomes the fact that the European Union is increasingly acting as a promoter of peace and cooperation in regions beyond its immediate vicinity,” said Dr Frendo, citing the framework for wider cooperation provided by the strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean and the Middle East as examples.