10 years of discussions 'thrown out' - Simon Busuttil

In the past 10 years, over16,000 migrants arrived in Malta with 3,000 to 5,000 remaining on the island while 2,000 were resettled in EU countries and thousands were deported, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said this morning.

Interviewed on Radio 101, the PN leader stated that it is the conditions at the detention centres, which need to be improved, and detention time applied in Malta is in line with EU regulations. €130 million in EU funds have helped however issues of overcrowding turn the situation in a bigger burden.

The European Court of Justice declared pushbacks as being in breach of human rights. Asylum seekers have a right to file their request for asylum. Rather than adopting such attitudes, an agreement should be reached with Libya to prevent migrants from boarding on deadly journeys.

Dr Busuttil described the government's actions in the past weeks as going for the "nuclear button" and the "panic button". "Muscat threw out 10years of discussions with Europe and created unrest between migrants and the local population. Europe should be made to work closer with Somalia and similar countries", he said.

The PN leader noted how Malta is participating in international military efforts against piracy off the Somali coast. "We are used to watching Pirates of the Caribbean, however we now have pirates of Somalia. This is the extent of the situation in that country," Busuttil explained.

Commenting about the ongoing oil procurement saga, he stated that if he was in the shoes of former Minister Austin Gatt, he would have replied to the media's questions. However since Gatt is no longer in politics, the PN cannot force him to react. Busuttil however mentioned that it has not yet resulted that the former minister was spoke to by the Auditor General. He requested that the Public Accounts Committee discusses the report concerning this case after summer recess.

Discussing Labour's energy polices, the PN leader held that the previous government had aimed to strengthen the island's energy supply, however gas technology never justified its cost. At the same time the government had endeavoured to work on other sectors such as tourism.

Questioned about the John Dalli case, Dr Busuttil asked if the Prime Minister accepts a former European Commissioner found in breach of his Code of Ethics as consultant at Mater Dei Hospital. In the words of the Opposition leader, "Dr Dalli should not serve as consultant as this weakens Malta's position before the EU". Busuttil explained that while Dalli could still be on the PN's members' list he definitely does not act like one.

The PN might be appointing a CEO in the coming days however the recommendations given by a Commission, which studied the matter, are still being discussed. The party is committed to publish its accounts, however no timeframe had been outlined for this, Busuttil said. On the same lines the party has not yet decided whether to lobby for an increase in the state subsidy to political parties. Currently the subsidy amounts to €200,000 annually.

The interview concluded with Dr Busuttil stating the need for a Party Financing Bill. However if fundraising events are controlled or limited the parties would require a higher subsidy from the state.