The Finnish Presidency of the European Union accepted Malta’s request to include illegal immigration as a main item on the General Affairs Agenda of the EU Foreign Ministers’ Council meeting in Brussels today.
The DOI yesterday issued a press release saying that the inclusion of illegal immigration on the EU Foreign Ministers Agenda was a result of statements made by Malta to emphasize the worsening trends of illegal immigration in the Central Mediterranean, particularly Malta.
Foreign Minister Michael Frendo will renew the urgent call for immediate launching of joint sea patrols outside Malta’s territorial waters and Search and Rescue Area that would serve as a deterrent to international criminal organisations using Malta and the Central Mediterranean route for trafficking and smuggling of human beings.
During the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Minister Frendo will continue to insist that launching of EU joint patrolling for Malta has to commence this summer.
During a meeting in Morocco last Tuesday with Foreign Minister Frendo, Commissioner Franco Frattini expressed his personal commitment to start joint patrols in the Central Mediterranean as early as this summer.
The need to extend to countries of Eastern Africa, the dialogue on Article 13 of the Cotonou Agreement on readmission obligations by countries of origin without further formalities, will also be emphasized by Foreign Minister Frendo.
The Political Declaration of the Morocco Conference on Migration and Development, reflected Malta’s representations that a holistic approach was necessary in dealing with illegal immigration and that countries of origin, transit and destination should be engaged in one process as suggested by Malta and Libya in a non-joint paper presented in Malta during the 5+5 Meeting last year.
Foreign Minister Frendo will emphasise the importance of establishing dates for the EU-African Union Ministerial Conference to be held in Tripoli as soon as possible. Malta is also offering to host the preparatory meeting for the Conference.