From Ms J. Micallef

In the wake of the tragic drama involving 26 illegal immigrants who were tragically shipwrecked in Libyan waters, I was, to say the least, sadly surprised at how our fellow EU partners treated our country. Under such circumstances, the EU should have displayed unity and solidarity with Malta, instead of taking an independent stand. The EU should have been stronger in its condemnation of Libya.

I wish to express publicly my support for Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg for standing his ground on the issue, as well as my praise for the AFM personnel for going out of their way, and risking their lives, to deliver all humanitarian aid possible.

I hope that it is clear to all that Libya does not intend to stop illegal immigrants from leaving its shores.

A few months ago, on the 50th anniversary of the treaty of Rome, we heard statements such as “the EU has been an inspiration and a force for freedom and solidarity, not just for some, but for all Europeans” or “the Union is willing and able to bring its members and its partners ever closer together in full respect and brotherhood through the practice of solidarity”.

In reality, not all Europeans have equal status in the EU.

Tiny Malta gets the largest per capita share of sub-Saharan illegal immigrants. Italy has a repatriation agreement with Libya but still refused to accept the illegal immigrants. Libya refused to pick the immigrants who were in Libyan waters. It was only Malta that received unjust and unwarranted criticism. Is that not, indeed, a peculiar kind of equality and solidarity?

Joanne Micallef

TA L-IBRAG