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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 MAY 2014 News 7 Schulz: 'We need a humane approach to migration' MIRIAM DALLI OVER 45,000 asylum seekers reached European shores by boat last year, including Malta, Italy and Greece, but for every one of these, the European Union will never know for sure how many more have drowned at sea, Martin Schulz said. Schulz, the outgoing president of the European Parliament and the Socialist and Democrat's candidate for president of the European Com- mission elections, was in Malta yes- terday where he addressed both a joint press conference with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and a La- bour activity at Paola. "Last year more than 2,000 persons arrived to Malta by boat from Libya. A quarter of them were children. More than 45,000 arrived to Malta, Italy and Greece, not to start a new life in these countries but because these countries happen to be the gateways to Europe," he said. "For each person reaching our shores, we will never know for sure how many more have drowned in the sea. And we all remember last year's tragedies off the coast of Lampedusa. We cannot stand by and watch more people die. I want to make Lampedu- sa a turning point in the EU's migra- tion policy." Describing irregular migration as "uncontrolled and unfair", Schulz said he was in favour of a well-or- ganised, orderly legal immigration system and in favour of each coun- try having to accept is share of mi- grants. Outlining his vision for migration if he is elected Commission president, Schulz said he wanted the 28 mem- ber states tates to manage migration as best they can. "Those arriving on our shores should be given a chance to find a place and play positive part. The first principle is to strive to uphold hu- man life and dignity. Every single life lost off our shores – man, woman or child – is a stain on our civilisation." The German politician pointed out that when the cameras leave, the temptation "is great" to turn away and let the countries deal with the matter on their own. "This attitude undermines the foundation of the European Union. I will not accept this attitude. Malta has a population of 419,000 and it is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations in a maritime zone of a quarter of a million square kilometres. "This is disproportionate duty. Of course Europe cannot take in every- one. But we are the richest continent in the world." Schulz said Europe was a continent without a migration policy and that he would push for one – a proposal that was much welcomed by Muscat. "The EU has policies on everything, even on the size of oranges. Yet, it has no policy on immigration," Mus- cat said. Muscat said Schulz's vision was very much similar to the Labour government's and, with Schulz as president of the Commission, Malta would have an ally in the EU's top institution. "Now is your chance to change things around. If you stay at home, you will simply be agreeing to a Eu- rope that ignores the migration is- sue. But if you want a Europe that acts, the choice is to vote for all the Labour candidates, electing Martin Schulz as president of the Commis- sion," the Prime Minister said. Schulz insisted the EU can con- tribute in a positive way to manag- ing migration and acting together in a spirit of loyalty and solidarity "is a must, with a fair sharing of responsi- bility among all 28 member states". "I believe in an orderly, rule-based approach to migration which does everything it can to avoid driving desperate people into the hands of criminals. I believe that migration needs a long-term vision and lasting political commitment to fulfil our long-term needs". Schulz said the EU should attract the skills needed for its labour mar- ket, also by developing new relation- ships in the countries' neighbour- hood based on mutual respect and shared interest. He insisted that if states act togeth- er, look for solutions together and shoulder responsibilities together, the EU could do more: "No one is asking Europe to take on the misery of the whole world." Less than 4% of Syrian refugees have sought safety in Europe. Leba- non, a country with less than 5 mil- lion people, is now hosting more than 1 million Syrian refugees and Turkey has taken in over half a million. Jordan has opened a refu- gee camp which houses more than 100,000 refugees. "I believe that the management of the EU's outer borders is a common European responsibility. It is a ques- tion of solidarity that we manage our external borders securely and hu- manly. Clearly, a European response is needed." In yet another pitch to protect mi- grants and in a plight against xeno- phobia, Schulz said it is the causes of migration and not the migrants, that should be fought. "Xenophobic and Europhobic par- ties are gaining ground. For every problem they have a scapegoat, but not a single solution. In Italy, a gov- ernment minister said, when he sees the small boats of migrants he wants to hear the roar of the canons. "The demons of the past have not been banished, but only kept at bay." COURT NOTICE The Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals informs that the Civil Court, First Hall ordered the following sales by auction: Date and Time Place Items 28 th May, 2014 9:00am - 6/2014 PP 149, Triq id- Dejqa, Valletta Two Chest of Drawers, Clock, Chairs, Grandfather Clock, Two Dressing Tables. Further details can be obtained from the website: http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/courtservices/JudicialSales/search.aspx The bidders taking part in the auction must present their identity card Rudolph Marmara' For the Registrar Civil Courts and Tribunals PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD European Commission President hopeful Martin Schulz together with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat at a Labour activity in Paola yesterday morning

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