Malta calls for ‘tangible solidarity’, ‘fair burden sharing’ on migration

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia urged the European Union to focus on increasing tangible solidarity among member states as small countries like Malta continue to face migration and asylum pressure.

In September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on illegal immigration calling for fair burden sharing and solidarity among the member states.

Today, the Justice and Home Affairs Council met to discuss several issues, including the setting up of a Common European Asylum System and Schengen governance.

Home Affairs Ministers discussed the establishment of a Common European Asylum System (CEAS), whose goal is to further harmonise national asylum legislation through five legislative instruments.

During his intervention, Mallia described the imminent conclusion of the CEAS package as an achievement for the EU.

"But the EU must now focus on increasing tangible solidarity among Member States in light of the fact that some, such as Malta, face disproportionate pressures due to high numbers of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection," he said.

Mallia said 'harmonised' legislation on its own was not enough. Pointing out that the CEAS can only be a success if it properly addresses the realities on the ground, he stressed that fair responsibility-sharing must be at the very heart of the common system.

During the meeting, the ministers were briefed about the state of play of two legislative proposals making up the Schengen Governance package: a draft Regulation establishing a mechanism to verify the correct application of the Schengen acquis by Member States and an amendment to the Schengen Borders Code.

The Council and the European Parliament have reached an agreement on this package and it is expected that it will be adopted by Parliament in July and by Council in the Autumn.

The ministers also discussed the civil war in Syria and what the EU could do to continue  bolstering its humanitarian assistance. Ministers also held a discussion on the threats posed by European foreign fighters in countries such as Syria - particularly upon return to the EU.

Minister Mallia was accompanied at the Council meeting by the Permanent Representative of Malta to the EU, Ambassador Marlene Bonnici.