Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/246133
4 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2014 French senator in Malta calls for Dublin Convention revision French Green senator says that asylum seekers should be offered the possibility of mobility within EU countries JEROME CARUANA CILIA ALTERNATTIVA Demokratika hosted French Green senator Ango Ela Kalliopi in a call for the EU to revise the Dublin convention, which places added stress on border nations handling the migration influx into Europe. "The increasing migrant tragedies in the Mediterranean demand that Europe truly implements policies for the prevention of such deaths by developing measures of legal migration and by issuing temporary humanitarian visas in order to afford the necessary protection to such vulnerable people," Senator Kalliopi said. "Moreover, we French, Maltese and European greens demand that asylum seekers should be offered the possibility of mobility within EU countries through the drastic revision of the present Dublin convention rules." Cassola said that the European Greens were presenting a united front in their demand to overhaul the Dublin rules in such a way as to allow asylum seekers free movement in the EU, once an application for asylum has been made on Maltese territory. "Asylum seekers and normal citizens are to be treated with dignity and respect. Free movement in the EU should be made available to all law abiding people, independent of their economic means," Cassola said. He argued that the Individual Investor Programme established by the Maltese government, where only millionaires were seen "to have talent, are individuals of high calibre" and are of high value was "absolute rubbish". The European Greens are also requesting a law that gives temporary protection to irregular migrants. One of the main problems that migrants have to face is that it is very hard for them to obtain humanitarian visas. Cassola mentioned a case that made headlines, where a rescued father was taken to Lampedusa while his wife was taken to Malta. "There were a lot of difficulties to reunite them together, since they had to humanitarian visa. The Dublin convention is a catastrophe as it is, because it creates inequalities among the EU countries themselves. Southern countries like Malta are overwhelmed by this problem because they have to tackle it alone," Cassola reiterated. Ango Ela Kalliopi "A bigger problem is that when you get to the place, you're stuck there. For instance, who is saved and ends up in Malta, should have the possibility to apply and freely move around the EU." He encouraged the EP's two largest groups, the EPP and S&D groups, to join the European Greens in the Dub- Public officers deny receiving gifts CHRIS MANGION WITNESSES in the case against former Enemalta Project's Manager Ray Ferris confirmed under oath they were never offered gifts nor subjected to undue pressure aimed at influencing their decision during the privatisation process of Enemalta's Petroleum Division. Ferris is charged with trading in influence, bribery and fraud following evidence given by rogue oil trader turned state witness George Farrugia. The latter alleged Ferris demanded a kickback worth €40,000 to award !"#$"#$%#%& the Petroleum Division to PowerPlan Ltd. The company belonged to Farrugia's family and three silver gifts were handed to the accused. The silver centrepieces were allegedly exchanged for a single silver tray at Victor Azzopardi Jewellers. However, Ferris denied asking for the gifts or demanding €40,000. Finance Ministry permanent secretary Alfred Camilleri was the first of three public officials involved in the privatisation process to take the witness stand today. Camilleri explained that his job was restricted to open the bidding process. The witness said he knew the ac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cused as an Enemalta official but denied ever receiving gifts or being put under pressure by Ferris. Questioned by defence lawyer Kenneth Grima, the witness said, "I never spoke to Ferris and if there is ever an attempt to put me under pressure I'd report the case myself". Mimcol CEO Mario Mizzi then took the stand. He explained the accused worked as Enemalta's project manager and was the liaison officer between the corporation and the Privatisation Unit. Mizzi again reiterated he had never received gifts from Ferris. The third witness, Victoria Wilson, who also worked at the Privatisation Unit but was on the adjudication board, said that the unit requested huge amounts of information in relation to the bid. Such information included union agreements and workforce numbers. The information was received through Ray Ferris she said, and similarly to the other witness, Wilson categorically denied allegations of gifts received from the accused. "Moreover, any attempt to influence me would have been futile as I was not part of the adjudication board," Wilson said. Inspector Jonathan Ferris is prosecuting while lawyers Kenneth Grima and Veronique Dalli appeared on behalf of the accused. Magistrate Demicoli is presiding. lin convention amendments. Cassola said the process of detention remained very bureaucratic and unfair. "Eighteen months are a lot. Six months are more than sufficient and only in certain extreme cases. Pregnant women and young individuals should not be seen as hypothetical criminals." Kalliopi also said that the citizenship scheme put forward by the Maltese government was unjust. "This scheme is very surprising. Citizenship is something we cannot buy. You have to 'feel' your nationality, you certainly cannot buy citizenship. Ties are important. I insist that this scheme has to be reviewed. Everybody can make mistakes and hence they have to be corrected." Kalliopi is a Senator for French nationals overseas. Six hundred French people are registered and living in Malta, and they have the choice of voting for the French MEPs by postal vote or vote in Malta. However, to vote locally, they have to register by the end of March. Kallipoli, forms part of the 12 Green senators in France, who although a small number, they are very dynamic. Kallipoli submitted various Parliamentary Questions to the French government regarding migration. "Europe has to take serious action as regards to the tragedies surrounding Lampedusa. To date, around 25,000 people died while trying to get a better life. This is a disgrace." Cory Greenland, Josef Bugeja eyeing GWU deputy post MIRIAM DALLI GENERAL Workers Union section secretaries Cory Greenland and Josef Bugeja are eyeing the post of deputy secretary general of the union, MaltaToday has learnt. Submission of nominations closed today at noon and the election is scheduled for 31 January. The post opened up after the outgoing deputy secretary general Michael Parnis called it a day after 35 years in trade unionism. Parnis will be taking up a Human Resources post at a government department. This newspaper has learnt that both candidates have a good chance of being elected and it won't be an easy race. Josef Bugeja, as section secretary of government and public entities, is considered to have "a very strong section" with the public service traditionally considered to be a strong section within the union. On the other hand, as secretary of the professionals, finances and services section, Cory Greenland is seen as the person who built a strong section from scratch. Cory Greenland Josef Bugeja Smash Communications ordered to pay up CHRIS MANGION SMASH Communications Ltd were ordered by court to pay €11,445 to Allcare Insurance Agency Ltd in outstanding car insurance premium. The cars are licensed to Joseph Baldacchino, on behalf of Smash Communications Ltd, and were insured with Allcare Insurance Agency Ltd. The insurance company never received any payments for the premium and the road licenses which it paid to the underwriters and Transport Malta. The last payment Allcare Insurance received from the company dates back to 2008. Smash Communications Ltd argued the court should not entertain the claim of the Insurance company as the case was time-barred. Furthermore, Smash stated the amount was not owed by the company but by Andrew Farrugia who had contracted Allcare Insurance of his own free will and without any authorisation from Smash Communications Ltd. The contract signed between Farrugia and the insurance company allegedly read that all premium were to be bartered with advertising on the company's radio and television stations. However Magistrate Marseann Farrugia held Smash Communications Ltd failed to quote the Act of law invoked in its argument that the case was time barred. Witness Stephen Muscat exhibited documents proving the plaintiff's claim. Smash Communications Ltd did not cross-examine Muscat nor did it present any evidence challenging his own. Noting the defendant's omissions, the court abstained from taking further notice of the arguments forwarded by Smash Communications Ltd, and ordered the company to pay the €11,445 to Allcare Insurance Agency Ltd.