The Prime Minister’s visit to London last Monday was somewhat overshadowed by the government’s announcement the following day that the water and electricity surcharge had gone up to 55 per cent and a 3c9 increase in excise duty on petrol had been imposed.

That should not detract, however, from the signifi-cance of the meeting between Dr Gonzi and his counterpart, Tony Blair.

The meeting was important for a number of

reasons.

For one thing, it was an opportunity to strengthen the excellent relations that exist between the two countries. After the difficult years preceding independence, and in the late 1970s, Malta and Britain have enjoyed an outstanding bilateral relationship that has only improved over the years. Monday’s meeting at 10 Downing Street was another stamp of approval that will help to further improve the ties between the two countries.

Yet the Gonzi-Blair talks went beyond the customary opportunity to discuss bilateral relations.

The main topic on the agenda during their 45-minute meeting – according to what journalists present in London were told – was irregular immigration, a major problem for a small country like Malta.

Over the past few years, Malta has had to deal with a large influx of irregular immigrants seeking a better life on continental Europe. The regular arrival of hundreds of these people, mainly from African countries, throughout the summer has put enormous pressure on the Maltese authorities and stretched our resources to the limit. As TMID has repeatedly insisted, Malta needs help from the European Union to cope with the problem.

The Maltese government is doing its utmost to obtain the level of assistance that a small island like ours needs in the circumstances.

Unfortunately, the aid that we have received so far is not enough. The government is doing well to insist, through diplomatic channels, that the European Union, and its individual member states in particular, can do much more to help Malta. Since Britain holds the presidency of the EU, it is in a perfect position to be of assistance to Malta and, at the same time, help us as an individual country.

The joint statement issued at the end of the Gonzi-Blair meeting says that Britain has pledged to help Malta deal with irregular immigration through practical assistance and technical expertise. No more details were given.

This is good news. However, the Maltese people should be told exactly what type of assistance we will be receiving. Although the increase in the surcharge and Monday’s budget are top of the agenda, the government should find the time to explain what help it has managed to get from the UK.

The irregular immigration issue was also discussed in the context of how the Commonwealth could lend a hand to under-developed countries and how Malta could be helped in the repatriation exercise of those who are not granted refugee status and those who need to be resettled elsewhere.

This is another area of major concern, and the country needs all the help it can get.

Of course, the problem of irregular immigration has to be tackled from two angles. First, help must be given to those who risk their lives to come to Europe. Second, every effort must be made to assist under-developed countries to strengthen their economies and hence reduce the need for their people to seek a better life elsewhere. This will only happen when poverty in these countries is addressed in a concrete manner and the standard of living is improved.

Now that the UK has promised to help Malta, the authorities must insist that this aid is received in the shortest time possible. The longer Malta is left to fend for itself, the greater the problem will become.