Manuel Mallia calls for ‘real solidarity’ on migration

Following the vote in the European Parliament that approved the "Common European Asylum System", the ministry for home affairs and national security said that the EU must focus on increasing tangible solidarity among the Member States, mainly in the form of intra-EU relocation, given that Malta faces disproportionate pressure.

"The Maltese Government believes that such solidarity would de facto ensure the upkeep of common standards across the Union, not only in terms of recognition of status, but also in terms of eventual integration opportunities. It has to be recognised that certain Member States, such as Malta, have natural limitations when it comes to integration opportunities, mainly in view of small size and a small labour market," the ministry said.

Failure to assign due attention to intra-EU relocation is not only detrimental to Member States exposed to disproportionate asylum pressures, but also to beneficiaries of international protection in those States, the ministry led by Manuel Mallia said. 

Today, new rules laying down common procedures and deadlines for handling asylum applications and basic rights for asylum seekers arriving in the EU were endorsed by Parliament. The Common European Asylum System will also stop transfers of asylum seekers to member states unable to ensure decent living conditions for them.

However, Maltese MEPs Roberta Metsola, David Casa and Claudette Abela Baldacchino voiced their disagreement on its failure to address problems faced by small countries like Malta.

Current EU law does not impose specific deadlines on member states for deciding on asylum applications. To iron out differences between national asylum procedures, the new rules bring in common deadlines for handling asylum applications (a standard six-month deadline with limited exceptions), stricter rules on training staff dealing with asylum seekers and new provisions for the special needs of unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable persons.

The home affairs ministry pointed out that individual asylum applicants have always been granted the possibility of an interview at first instance and that no recourse has been made to accelerated procedures, where no interview would be held.

"Indeed, an overwhelming majority of irregular migrants entering Malta, well over 90%, apply for international protection and are duly interviewed, something which attests to the accessibility of the asylum system. Moreover, Malta has always allowed asylum seekers to stay in its territory pending the outcome of appeals procedures in line with the proposed new legislation," the statement said. 

The ministry also noted that investment in the Office of the Refugee Commissioner has enabled a more expeditious determination of cases at first instances, reducing the term in detention for most genuine asylum seekers.

"It should also be noted that Maltese policy exempts vulnerable persons, including minors, from the detention requirement," the ministry said.