Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/997322
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 JUNE 2018 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 HE argues that Europe's very foundations are being tested by the migration challenge. Although migrant arrivals from the central Mediterranean route have seen a year-on-year drop of 78%, this is not enough, he says. Muscat outlines Malta's position in favour of a European solution with humanitarian and security facets. "Removing one element from the other might be ideo- logically enticing but practically equates to inertia," he warns. The mini-summit was called at Germany's behest in an attempt to produce a working document ahead of the European Council, something that appears increas- ingly unlikely. Diplomats have been scrambling to find some form of common position, as mainstream political parties across the EU come under pressure from uneasy electorates. A bigger problem that has devel- oped over recent days is Merkel's internal opposition from the Ba- varian CSU, a long-time partner of the Chancellor's Christian Demo- crat party, which wants a tougher stand on migration. While Germany has tried push- ing for a solution that tackles the movement between EU member states of migrants already enjoying protection, Italy is refusing to play ball unless a solution is found on migrants who are rescued at sea. Italy has been facing the brunt of migrant arrivals, mostly from Libya, and its new coalition gov- ernment that includes the anti-im- migrant Lega, has adopted a hard- line stand by closing the country's ports to migrant rescue ships run by non-governmental organisa- tions. On two occasions Italy has insist- ed Malta take in migrants rescued by ships operated by NGOs. In an ongoing dispute since Fri- day, Italy has been insisting that the MV Lifeline, an NGO vessel, disembark 230 rescued migrants in Malta. Malta has refused, insisting Ita- ly's actions are in breach of inter- national law. Within this tense atmosphere, it remains unclear whether the pro- posal to offload part of the prob- lem onto safe non-EU countries will gain traction. Floated by European Council President Donald Tusk, the plan seeks to create regional disembar- kation platforms in neighbouring countries like Albania, Montene- gro, Egypt and Tunisia. Tunisia has already poured cold water on the idea but some Euro- pean diplomats argue that Albania and Montenegro could be swayed into accepting these EU-run re- ception centres in exchange for the start of accession talks. Migrants arriving in these cen- tres will be processed there by the EU asylum agency and only those granted some form of protection will be transferred to EU countries. However, the matter appears to have been complicated late last week when the Dutch Parliament voted to block the start of acces- sion talks with Albania over con- cerns on rule of law in the Balkan country. On Friday, Amnesty Internation- al, a human rights organisation, criticised the draft plan, describing it as "irresponsible and danger- ous". "There is an urgent need for a new asylum system that is fair, ef- ficient and compassionate," Am- nesty said. EU leaders were expected to dis- cuss a reform of the Dublin regu- lations to ensure that migrants eli- gible for protection do not remain the sole responsibility of the State in which their claim is processed. However, there is no hope for reforming the Dublin rules at the European Council at the end of this week, as member states re- main strongly divided on the mat- ter. Nationalist Party MEP Roberta Metsola, in an opinion piece ap- pearing today, says EU prime min- isters have a unique opportunity to reform the Dublin system. This can be achieved even without una- nimity in the Council, she insists. "The European Parliament has put legislation on their table that ensures a fair sharing of responsi- bility based on solidarity between States and with the most vulner- able," she says. Metsola also argues for a medi- um-term solution to create EU- run and EU-funded disembarka- tion locations in safe countries outside the bloc where migrants saved at sea can be disembarked immediately, security vetted and processed accordingly. ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt JOSEPH MUSCAT EUROPE is yet again facing uncertain times not because of too much Europe but be- cause of too little of it. This is not simply about migra- tion. Its very foundations, and raison d'etre are being test- ed to their limits through this challenge. Let us get facts right. Some progress has been made. Arrivals from the central Mediter- ranean route are down 78% year-on-year. But this is not enough. The result of this inaction can be traced in recent polit- ical upheaval in polls across parts of Europe. There will be Member States which will scramble to change their position. Malta will not be one of them. Our position has always been consistent, advocat- ing a European solution with both humanitarian and security facets. Removing one element from the other might be ideologically entic- ing but practically equates to inertia. No wall, even if we man- age to erect one on the high seas, is a solution on its own. We need to differentiate between genuine asylum seekers and economic mi- grants, creating humanitar- ian corridors for the former, and implementing effective returns for the latter. We need to clamp down on ille- gal trafficking of people and rules that must be observed by all, both states and organ- isations. Finally, those believing in Europe must step up to show solidarity. I speak as leader of one of the very few Member States which has fully implemented its obliga- tions when called to volun- tarily do so. Solidarity is not the reverse of resolve or loving one's country. Quite the oppo- site. Unfortunately, the MV Aquarius and MV Lifeline standoffs have seen Italy and Malta pitted against each other, when, in fact, we should be allies working for the same cause. This further highlights the failure of Eu- rope to act. I am hoping that facetime between leaders, away from tweets, formal communication or phone calls, will help achieve pro- gress. Joseph Muscat is Prime Minister of Malta ROBERTA METSOLA IT is difficult not to be an- gry, when we find ourselves in another summer facing a situation that we warned would come. It is difficult not to be angry when we know that the EU can introduce laws on plas- tics and litter and end roam- ing, but on migration the European Council remains stuck. The Nationalist Party has been clear in pushing for- ward holistic, European, ap- proaches to migration chal- lenges. Adrian Delia has proposed having a strategy based on human dignity and human rights, with United Nations High Commission for Refu- gees (UNHCR) having a role in overseeing EU-funded locations outside of Europe while tackling the inherent poverty in many nations in Africa. Immigration and asylum are not issues that Malta, Ita- ly, Greece or Spain should be left alone to deal with. They are fundamentally European in nature and countries not in the Mediterranean cannot continue trying to use geog- raphy as an excuse to exoner- ate themselves from respon- sibility. The message to EU prime ministers from the European Parliament is clear: it is time for action on migration. At this month's summit, prime ministers have a unique op- portunity to finally reform the EU's Dublin system. The European Parliament has put legislation on their table that ensures a fair sharing of re- sponsibility based on solidar- ity between States and with the most vulnerable. It can be done, even without unanim- ity in the EU Council. However, that is the first step. In the medium term, we need to look seriously into having EU-run and EU- funded disembarkation loca- tions in safe third countries outside the union, with EU standards and safeguards, where anyone saved from the sea can be disembarked im- mediately, rescued, security vetted and processed. This must be done in full recognition of migrants' rights by an EU agency like EASO and migrants not in need of protection will be re- turned, while others will be resettled. We can couple this with processes to apply for asy- lum even outside the EU ter- ritory. That way we create a system that allows for people who need protection to have a legal route to Europe with- out the need to succumb to traffickers and risk their lives on rickety boats while draw- ing necessary distinctions between those people flee- ing famine and war and those people seeking a job. It is not a system that is un- controversial or some sort of a magic silver bullet but it could go a long way and I hope we see a sign from prime ministers on this too. For the longer term we need to ensure we move from a system of aid to a system of investment in Africa fuelling jobs and growth. Europe can be the example to everyone on this issue but we have to see real political will to move away from fiery rhetoric to taking tough deci- sions. The ball is in the prime ministers' court now. Roberta Metsola is a Nationalist MEP (EPP) If need be, Dublin rule changes should be made without unanimity Too little effort by Europe causing uncertain times Holding centres in Albania and Montenegro proposed 2 43 24 19 88 59 33 8 23-06-2018 Draw No: 729