Yesterday’s European Parliament debate on EU solidarity and the protection of migrants’ rights gave a clear message that European solidarity with Malta as it grapples with migrant influxes is virtually non-existent.

Several European parliamentarians strongly condemned Malta for the way it has dealt with recent migrant tragedies, but also agreed Malta is a small country with a big responsibility and that it cannot deal with such an overwhelming problem on its own.

“There is an absolute need for solidarity. We must understand this a European problem. No one is unaffected, there are no exceptions, full stop,” European Commission vice-president and justice, freedom and security commissioner told the EP yesterday evening.

“This means every member state is affected by the daily dramas of migratory flows. First and foremost we must save the lives of any human being in danger and if faced with the risk of losing one human life, legal issues take secondary importance.

“We must meet the requirements of countries such as Malta; all member states should do their part and this will be a central issue at next week’s Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers meeting.

“Is it possible for one small country in the middle of the Mediterranean to deal with everything?” he questioned, adding, “But we cannot cover for countries not playing their part. This is not the time to point fingers; it is time to ensure that the recent tragic events are not repeated.”

Mr Frattini also called on the EP to release some of the EUR12.7 billion being blocked and held in reserve, funds he said are “absolutely indispensable and urgently needed by Frontex.”

If more funding was not released before the month’s end, Mr Frattini warned, “we would run the risk of running out of funds for patrolling the Mediterranean.”

The request was agreed to in principle by parliamentarians.

Equipment for Frontex, however, remains problematic. Mr Frattini confirmed formal agreements have been reached with 19 member states for the supply of 100 patrol vessels, 25 helicopters and 20 fixed wing aircraft.

Only one-tenth of such requests, however, have been met to date.

The Nautilus II joint central Mediterranean patrols, Mr Frattini said, would begin within a few days. He also said he hoped such patrols would not only involve the participation of Mediterranean countries. He added signals have been received by Germany, which could be expected to participate, while Italy recently changed tack and decided to take part.

On the issue of Libyan responsibility for its search and rescue area, Mr Frattini said a Frontex mission visited Libya a few days ago to explore the possibility of assistance patrolling the Niger border.

He added, “But we said categorically that we expect more inspections and checks on the seas by Libya and for it to live up to its search and rescue obligations.

“More efforts to stem the migratory flow has to be tackled in countries of origin and transit by giving clear information to potential migrants.

“We need to make clear to those considering risking their lives by crossing the seas that this is not a land of golden opportunities and that there are very serious risks when attempting to cross the Mediterranean,” Mr Frattini added.

With the European Commission having published a set of proposals for the Dublin Convention yesterday, Mr Frattini commented, “It is the duty of all member states to save lives at sea, but all must realise the burden cannot fall solely on a country like Malta.

“As for those saved by Malta, we need a political agreement on where those arriving on the southern shores of Europe will eventually settle.

“Malta’s responsibilities under Dublin II as the first country of entry into the EU are not what solidarity is about. This is a good example of how it should be interpreted properly. Today we have published a number of proposals along these lines, which propose a better form of burden-sharing.”

Speaking yesterday, Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil stressed Malta has always lived up to its obligations and that fingers are incorrectly being pointed at Malta for events taking place in Libyan waters.

“This is not the time to blame each other; it is rather the time to work together,” he commented.

“Malta’s burden is, however, disproportionate. Its search and rescue area, for example, is two-thirds that of Germany and three-fourths that of Italy. We have been covering this area alone with Frontex patrols not having started yet.

“The solution is simple,” he adds. “The burden of saving migrants’ lives from the Mediterranean must be shared among all 27 member states, but so far it is not clear whether national governments are prepared to share this burden.”

Fellow Maltese MEP Louis Grech labelled the EU’s inaction while Malta’s struggles a “shame”.

He added, “Solidarity and mobility are mere buzzwords and precious little has been done. With immediate effect we need burden-sharing through Dublin II, as well as patrols. So far Frontex has stood by dumbfounded and motionless.”

There was, however, a good deal of criticism of Malta, as well as empathy and promises of solidarity.

MEP Jeanine Hennis-Plasschart commented, “There are clear legal and moral responsibilities that not all member states are taking seriously, and lack of burden-sharing is not an excuse.

“Malta is an EU member state, while Libya is hardly a human rights’ paradise. If we are adopting the human rights’ standards of Libya, that would be a scandal. No one can hide behind a legal excuse while not acting to rescue people in distress.

MEP Jean Lambert observed, “We know what the Libyan human rights’ record is and we should have had a plan B for when Libya fails to live up to its obligations. If those pictures we had seen had been of cruise liner passengers, they would surely have been rescued.”

MEP Martine Roure commented, “It is also intolerable that we have been able to debate about responsibilities while people are dying at sea. Saving them is a duty, not an option.”

“Last week the authorities of one member state did not live up to its expectations,” argued Spanish MEP Javier Moreno Sanchez. “While this attitude is unacceptable, we cannot ask them to take on more responsibilities than they already have.

“This is not a Maltese problem or a problem of any single state but rather a European problem.

“ Nor is this a problem of fishermen, who have had to carry out rescues themselves.

“We simply cannot continue to disagree and argue over responsibilities while migrants die.”

Echoing the sentiment, Ignasi Guardans Cambo commented, “Malta’s attitude is terrible and should be condemned, but the country must also be helped.

“What union do we have if we can resolve petty issues on a daily basis while we cannot stop people dying at the doors of fortress Europe?

“Solidarity must be imposed through legislation so all will shoulder the burden.”

Perhaps the harshest of all criticisms came from Italian MEP Claudio Fava, who cited recent comments given by Foreign Affairs Minster Michael Frendo to the effect that Malta was not responsible for incidents occurring outside it search and rescue area.

“Perhaps at next week’s council someone could instruct the Maltese representatives on humanitarian law,” Mr Fava suggested.

“A Maltese trawler recently felt its tuna catch was more valuable than human lives and left dozens clinging to tuna nets.”