Deputy PM highlights priority of migrants’ repatriation

Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech has highlighted the need for the Task Force Mediterranean to give particular attention to the identified priority measures, particularly the repatriation of migrants.

In a bid to alleviate the influx of migrants to Europe, the TFM was established in the wake of the humanitarian tragedies in the Mediterranean that saw hundreds of migrants drown off the coast of Malta and neghbouring Lampedusa.

Acting upon a number of actions proposed by Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat during last October's European Council, the EU Communication took on board a number of actions including stronger cooperation with North African countries, increased recognition of the EU laissez-passer (travel document) and increased repatriation of failed asylum seekers. The measures also proposed faciliating the return of migrants "stranded" in North Africa.

"The priority measures identified by the Task Force, particularly those aimed at faciliating the return of migrants deserve particular attention," Grech said during the EU Ministers' Council.

Further to the repartiation measure, Grech also called an effective joint return flight operations policy and assistance to third countries in borded management. 

The 38 measures of the TFM also include greater EU cooperation with North African countires, particularly Libya, increased recognition of the EU travel document as well as the introduction of more increntives or countries of origin to readmit asylum seekers.

"The EU should establish timeframes to implement these migration measures," Grech also said.

He said that while it is a significant step towards addressing irregular immigration, the 38 measures must be implemented within a specified time frame.

In light of the humanitarian tragedy in the Mediterranean that claimed the lives of hundreds of asylum-seekers, a meeting between European home affairs ministers in October sought to propose solutions on control of irregular migration as well as strong border surveillance and solidarity with countries dealing with high migration pressures.

This was the first time that migration in the Mediterranean has been specifically discussed at an EU level brought about through the concerted efforts of Malta and other Mediterranean member states.

The influx of migration has been a hotly debated issue between Malta and the European Union with Joseph Muscat and National Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia echoing their calls for burden sharing in recent EU summits.  Thousands of refugees, mainly from sub-Saharan countries and war-torn Syria, have made the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean in an effort to start a new life in Italy and Malta before making the journey up north.