Malta asks EU for a refugee redistribution centre

But if Malta's suggestion for an independent processing centre is turned down by the Commission,  Mifsud Bonnici has raised the alternative possibility of utilising an existing council directive aimed at addressing large-scale refugee crises arising from conflict situations.

In the event of a mass influx of refugees, the European Commission has a mechanism, 2001/55/EC, at its disposal to absorb the refugees and redistribute them among various member states, aiding the countries experiencing the influx.

The Council Directive 2001/55/EC, enacted in July 2001 following the war in Kosovo, sets the minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof.

Initially, Mifsud Bonnici wrote  to Illka Laitinen, the executive director of Frontex, on 10 March, asking for a 'Joint Processing Centre' in an EU member state which is not Malta. But the European border control agency responded by offering an alternative mechanism: rapid reaction response: whereby a member state makes a request logistical aid is provided within a limited time.

However Mifsud Bonnici declined the offer, stating it would only be acceptable if one of his government's two proposals - a refugee redistribution centre or the enactment of 2001/55/E directive - is also part of the agreement.

Mifsud Bonnici then wrote to Cecilia Malmström with the same suggestion. In her reply, the Commissioner acknowledged that "there is neither support for (Malta's) request to establish an external processing centre, nor (Malta's) request not to follow the Guidelines in the operational plan... I do however recognise that we need to make an effort to assist you in addressing the serious situation you are confronted with."

Malmström said that she is already calling on Member States to take responsibility, and resettle people from North Africa." Describing the Commissioner's response as positive, Mifsud Bonnici said there was still scepticism among EU countries as to whether the current influx meets the requirements for the directive to come into force.

Last week 816 asylum seekers arrived within 24 hoursthe largest influx of its kind to date, and unlike previous landings the two boatloads consisted almost exclusively of women and children. Mifsud Bonnici admitted that certain EU states are reluctant to qualify this as a 'crisis', but argues that the EU should take a proactive role, ahead of a mass influx that appears to be inevitable owing to the situation in Libya.

Mifsud Bonnici said he will raise again the issue in two weeks’ time at the Council’s meeting.