Malta’s offer to host a preparatory meeting to an EU-African Union (AU) ministerial conference should set the ball rolling in dealing with the illegal immigration and repatriation issue.

We finally seem to have realised that if we lobby long and hard enough, we will eventually see action from the EU. Malta has tried to use the softly-softly approach too long, we weren’t getting anywhere with it. But as soon as Foreign Minister Michael Frendo hardened his tone, especially with EU Commissioner Franco Frattini, we began to see re-settlement programmes (small as they are) and a commitment for joint patrolling of the Mediterranean and through Malta’s search and rescue zone.

Joint patrolling of these waters would definitely act as a deterrent to criminal organisations which organise human trafficking trips through these, and other waters. But what must be borne in mind is that there will be a vacuum once NATO pulls its fleet out of the Mediterranean later in the summer. At present, there is a fleet which is out on patrol to combat counterfeiters and human traffickers and its presence will be sorely missed.

Hence, the need for an agreement to be struck at ministerial level in Europe to have these waters patrolled frequently and with sufficient numbers. Both the Malta government and media in Malta have advocated the concept of burden-sharing. In fact, it has been said till all concerned are blue in the face: the immigrants that pass through Maltese waters, whether detected or not, are going to end up in places as far flung as Denmark, Germany, the UK, France and the whole EU-25.

It is in member states’ interests to help stem the tide. But of course, as our Foreign Ministry is rightly touting, this cannot be done without seeking dialogue with AU members. The AU is a loose union, yet it is still influential in African politics. If the EU, with Malta as its fulcrum, can foster dialogue with AU nations, it would be a help. The EU might, perhaps, have to offer concessions to African nations and even pledge aid in order for them to agree to take a tougher stance on policing their own borders.

But this of course hides the real problem underneath. People are now starting to realise that illegal immigration is, in reality, caused by the massive problems to be found in Africa. These range from poverty and starvation, to drought and corruption, even to state murder. In reality, this continent is by and large a lawless land that has been ravaged by years of colonialism, followed up by military struggles as power vacuums evolved – a perfect recipe for despotism.

There are some democracies, some well-developed and others less so. Some are in their infancy, but many countries are war-torn.

So what can be done? Africa must be rehabilitated, but at what cost? It is plain to see that this process will take even up to 100 years if we start now. Africa has very poor health care and educational standards and that is the first issue that needs to be addressed.

Without pretending to be experts in the issue, this newspaper feels that Bob Geldof’s line is the best one to follow. The G-8 must pledge more aid to Africa for starters. And some form of fair trade must be adopted. Farming methods in Africa are still almost Stone Age-like and this must be changed.

It has never been changed because it suits larger nations to buy small and buy cheap from all farmers there and then charge phenomenal mark-ups on local markets – which then goes into sustaining that monstrosity which some EU members so dearly protect – the Common Agricultural Policy. If the EU and the G-8 do not act now, Europe is going to remain the promised land for Africans.

In decades to come, they will arrive in ever-larger droves and will not be able to be supported by the EU. If we don’t act now, we are heading for self-destruction and Malta could be one of the first casualties.