QuoVadis Europa on Migration? Political Views from Malta

Malta’s Prime Minister said that Europe is yet again facing uncertain times not because of too much Europe but because of too little of it. This is not simply about migration. Its very foundations, and raison d’etre are being tested to their limits through this challenge. Let us get facts right. Some progress has been made. Arrivals from the central Mediterranean route are down 78% year-on-year. But this is not enough.

In an article published on a number of newspapers today Muscat says the result of this inaction can be traced in recent political 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, advocating a European solution with both humanitarian and security facets. Removing one element from the other might be ideologically enticing but practically equates to inertia.

No wall, even if we manage to erect one on the high seas, is a solution on its own. We need to differentiate between genuine asylum seekers and economic migrants, creating humanitarian corridors for the former, and implementing effective returns for the latter. We need to clamp down on illegal trafficking of people and rules that must be observed by all, both states and organisations.

Finally, those believing in Europe must step up to show solidarity.  Solidarity is not the reverse of resolve or loving one’s country. Quite the opposite. 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 Europe to act. “I am hoping that facetime between leaders, away from tweets, formal communication or phone calls, will help achieve progress”, he added.

Nationalist Party’s MEP Roberta Metsola, said in an article published on Maltatoday that it is difficult not to be angry, 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 plastics and litter and end roaming, but on migration the European Council remains stuck.

 Immigration and asylum are not issues that Malta, Italy, 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 geography as an excuse to exonerate themselves from responsibility.

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 responsibility based on solidarity between States and with the most vulnerable. It can be done, even without unanimity in the EU Council.

We can couple this with processes to apply for asylum even outside the EU territory. That way we create a system that allows for people who need protection to have a legal route to Europe without the need to succumb to traffickers and risk their lives on rickety boats while drawing necessary distinctions between those people fleeing famine and war and those people seeking a job.