Maltese MEP reteriates Malta's call for help

EU initiatives, which provide more resources for Member states to save lives and offer better border patrol were welcomed by MEP Marlene Mizzi during a Parliamentary debates regarding the European Border Surveillance System known as EURSUR

However, the Labour MEP held that it is disconcerting that it took a human tragedy, such as the fatal drownings off Lampedusa to make the European Union take the issue of irregular migration seriously.

The debate in the plenary of the European Parliament focused on measures to prevent a repeat of the fatal crossing. "Malta's cry for help through a practical and appropriate solution has fallen on deaf ears. A lot of things that could be done in order to help asylum seekers such as helping them to build a future in their own country, programmes of reallocation, integration programmes and granting them freedom of movement", Mizzi said, continuing that open dialogue must be held with the countries like Libya from were migrants are embarking. Mizzi also called for more solidarity between Member States in this human tragedy.

Speaking at a debate over Syrian refugees fleeing, Mizzi argued that only a long-term solution can bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria.

"The two debates and the Council meeting indicate that the European Union is finally heeding Malta's call that this is a European problem and not just Malta's. I augur these serve to kickstart the creation of real burden sharing before more lives are lost at sea", Mizzi concluded.