Malmström convenes relocation forum for refugees

Relocation to be further discussed at ministerial level at the forthcoming Justice and Home Affairs Council in October

25 September 2013, 12:00am
by Staff Reporter

1 min read

Cecilia Malmström

The first relocation forum was convened today in Brussels by Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Malmström had already informed home affairs minister Manuel Mallia that the forum would be organised at the end of September.

The Forum was attended by representatives of the EU member states, the Schengen Associated States, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Presentations were delivered by Commissioner Malmström, EASO, IOM, UNHCR, as well as Malta and Bulgaria.

"The Commissioner emphasised the importance of relocation as a tangible form of solidarity, which provides immediate relief in situations of particular pressure. The Commissioner also made reference to Malta's specific case and reiterated that the Commission is continuing to support relocation from Malta," the home affairs ministry said in a statement.

EASO executive director Robert Visser also highlighted the need for relocation from Malta given its specific situation.

"Those concerned also discussed past relocation projects, including good practices, difficulties experienced and possible solutions to those difficulties, including simplified EU funding procedures to encourage participation by member states," the ministry said.

Malta's own representative emphases the "disproportionate pressures being faced" by Malta, calling for "an intervention, through relocation" by the EU and its member states.

Relocation will be further discussed at ministerial level at the forthcoming Justice and Home Affairs Council in October.

More from Staff Reporter

•

What the vast majority of Maletse citizens want to know is when are ALL the illegal immigrants going to be sent back to their own countries.

•

We should OPT out of this EU Club. Being on the outskirts of EU MAP, we are serving just as a SKIP for the inner EU Countries. IN May 2014 we shouldn't hold elections for MEPs but a referendum whether to stay in or fend for ourselves. We always did better when we were alone.

•

Is-sabiha hi li hafna minn dawn il-klandestini isibu jahdmu mill-ewwel, jikru fejn joqghodu,jixtru karozzi, anke karozzi sbieh, jifthu l-hwienet, jibghatu flus li qrabathom....... umbaghad hafna Maltin jibqghu jirregistraw u ahna nhallsu ghalihom.

•

Seems as if Joseph stamps his feet and Cecilia jumps to attention.

Luke Camilleri •

The first relocation forum was convened today in Brussels by Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs. ~~~~~~ THE FIRST ~ THE FIRST ~ THE FIRST ~~~~~~ Before there was nothing! ~~~~~~ Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is showing all even Cecilia Malmstrom the way forward FOR OUR , FOR MALTA'S SAKE !

•

So more hot air and more empty promises but no solid answers as to why the other EU States are negligently avoiding the Malta illegal immigrants situation. We understand that most EU States have their own confrontation with illegal immigration so why don't all the EU States get it together and start turning back these opportunists and turn their dinghies around and send them back to where they came from. Help these people in their own Nations where it matters the most. Stop priests from encouraging these people to cross the dangerous seas and stop the human traffickers from taking advantage of the illegal immigrants? Our livelihood and our freedom is at stake here. Hotel Malta is already filled and cannot take anymore of these illegal immigrants. It seems neither can the other 27 EU States. Do not wait until it is too late to turn back.

•

Mela t-tahbit tas-saqajn u r-ras qiebsa jiswew ghal xi haga. PL, that's the way to do it. Li hu taghna niehduh bi dritt.

•

Hopefully, Malmstrom words will be put to action. As things stand, the responsibility of helping people crossing the cruel sea, rests on Malta. Moreover, it is the Maltese poor who are over 17% of the population and who are mostly unskilled and illiterate that have to bear the onslought of these large number of people. The 23,000 illegals, illiterate and unskilled-who are guests on our islands, are competing for jobs and welfare with the Maltese poor not with Dr or Mrs X! Rich people, lawyers, notaries and other professionals have no competition from illegals for their jobs. Indeed, these professionals have enough entry barriers to make sure that no foreigner-especially an illegal immigrant- will compete for their job. So it is cruel to call 'Cikku' a precarious worker,'racist' simply because he utters that illegals are dampening his wage and full time prospects! As things stand ' Cikku' is shouldering the 'challanges' of globilisation, whilst' cool' people who on a huge salary and perks and probably living in a secluded detached villa, call the likes of 'Cikku' racist!

•

Finally I hope this is a series attempt at relieving our country from that which we where made to bare on our selves with no real help . This move could not have come with out the incessant and so much criticized work and manoeuvres done by the Prim minister on the matter. Praise The Lord .

•

After "Ten years of Talks" by Simon and the PN it took just one move for JM to get action.