EU Council talks on immigration ‘proved Labour right’

The Labour Party has claimed recent developments in the European Council at a recent meeting of justice and home affairs ministers "had proved the Opposition right" as the voluntary burden sharing mechanism had not been of any assistance to Malta, proving it right on calls for a mandatory system.

The statement follows a call made by Justice Minister Chris Said for EU member states to show solidarity with Malta in light of the recent influx of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers that made it to the Maltese shores.

Out of the 832 persons who made it to Malta during these six months, 712 arrived in the past five weeks.

"While during the debate on justice and home affairs government MPs lauded the voluntary burden sharing, as if it were some magical solution, the developments of the past days proved otherwise," the PL said.

Labour also said that the European Commission itself had effectively stated that the pilot project of voluntary burden sharing "had failed". The PL added that it was significant that Nationalist MEP David Casa called for the implementation of mandatory burden sharing.

"These are two points which we have long been insisting about," the party said.

During the Justice and Home Affairs Council, Said also said the Commission should review the Dublin convention so that it ceases to impose disproportionate pressure on Malta. "This is another stand which the PL has consistently held," the party said.

The Labour Party also pointed out that it was "significant" that despite being the justice minister, Chris Said represented Malta on an issue of home affairs.