Nationalist MEP candidate says government will not deliver on burden sharing

Nationalist candidate Kevin Plumpton

Nationalist MEP candidate Kevin Plumpton has claimed that the government will not deliver on its burden sharing proposition, arguing that its "stomping of feet" and "insistence" yielded nothing but embarrassment.

Speaking during an information session organised by JEF Malta, Plumpton explained that when taking into account the number of migrants who arrived in Malta and the country's size, it is evident that the influx of asylum seekers is "unsustainable."

"Notwithstanding the fact that the number of migrants is unsustainable due to proportionality issues, it is important to ensure that the migrants' fundamental human rights are respected and highlighted on a European front," Plumpton argued.

In a dig at the government, fellow PN candidate Raymond Bugeja explained that the government's "threats" of vetoes and push-backs yielded no results.

"The government's threats got no results, but conversely, Malta's name was tarnished. It is fundamental for Malta to highlight the issue of migration on a European front and to cooperate with its European counterparts," Bugeja said.

He also explained that migration is a social reality and that migrants can help Malta's economic performance - especially in its fight to maintain the pension system.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had reiterated his claim for the European Union to take its first concrete action on irregular migration by December. Muscat's comments and "stomping of feet" subsequently saw the issue of migration highlighted on European agenda while the EU Communication took on board a number of actions proposed by the Muscat - among which include the establishment of a migration task force.

More than 300 African migrants died in October after their ship sank off Lampedusa while days later, another 34 people died when their boat capsized. This subsequently saw the establishment of the Task Force Mediterranean. Amongst its responsibilities, the Task Force is tasked with cooperating more with North African countries, border control and to strengthen transit states' capacity to process asylum claims.

In the wake of the humanitarian tragedies, Labour candidate Lino Bianco explained that migration is a humanitarian issue.

"When discussing migration, all stakeholders should take into account the plight of the migrants. Migration is a humanitarian tragedy which must be addressed by solidarity and burden sharing."

Recent statistics have revealed that during 2013, 2,008 asylum seekers arrived in Malta, 118 more than the previous year - figures which Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has dubbed as "unsustainable".

Echoing the prime minister's calls, Bianco also explained that the ideal amount of migrants is that of around 60 to 70 migrants.

On his part, fellow Labour candidate Clint Camilleri argued that just as Malta extended its hand of solidarity during the financial turmoil, it now expects the EU countries to follow suit.

"The European Union is based on solidarity and consequently, the influx of migrants should be shouldered by all countries. Despite this, Malta has been left to bear the pressure of migrants alone," Camilleri said.

Meanwhile, months after MEP candidate David Casa voted against Malta's contentious Individual Investor Programme at the European plenary, Lino Bianco insisted that all candidates - irrespective of their political affiliations - must adopt a common voice for the interests of Malta.

"Even though MEPs do not agree on the issue of irregular immigration, we must represent Malta together and the country's reputation and national interest has to safeguarded at all times," Bianco explained.

This was however criticised by Raymond Bugeja who while acknowledging that MEPs have to represent Malta as one argued that this does not necessarily mean that MEPs should refrain from voicing their opinion or their party's stands.

More from Daniel Mizzi

•

Prosit Sur Plumpton, you just shot yourself in the foot and made sure that you will never see that cosy, fruitful seat in the EU.

•

What the PN seems to want us to forget is that they're the ones who signed Dublin2 which compels Malta to accept ALL refugee claimants arriving on Maltese shores without any alleviating countervailing conditions that other EU countries accept a good portion of them according to their size and population. This would have been the honest and equitable way of safeguarding little, tiny Malta's ability to cope with the unsustainable tsunami of illegal migrants arriving here. Gonzi and Busuttil are fully to blame for this mess and no one else. The present government must accept this iniquitous situation imposed on them by the previous useless and incompetent PN, as will all subsequent governments. When you have toadying sycophants dealing with the EU, as we had we the PN clowns, what else can you expect. Instead of beating up on their homeland in the European parliament, why aren't the PN MEPs clamouring for a fairer system of migrant absorption? Even though the PN are gone from government, their sheer incompetence, malfeasance, misgovernment and foreigner worshipping are still hurting Malta today and will for the foreseeable future. What is really baffling and unbelievable is that the PN has the utter nerve and hypocrisy to field even more MEP candidates as if the present and past ones haven't damaged Malta enough!

Mario Pace •

So, at last they let him out of the cage :) Then can you tell us Mr. Plumpton, your leader who boasted many times about burden sharing and many empty words about Frontex which brought nothing.

•

If all you bleeding hearts think that these illegal immigrants have a right to disrupt our way of living I say you are dead wrong and if you really mean what you say why not encourage the EU and the rest of the world to go to Africa and help these people learn how to survive in their own countries. Most of these illegal immigrants are young some even in their teens and the majority of them are opportunists looking for a better way. But in the meantime they are ruining our way of living. Our forefathers fought very hard for our freedom and for our way of living now here come these opportunists wanting to find everything ready for themselves instead of being true citizens and fight for their freedom in their own countries. No country is more richer than Africa but like I said these illegal immigrants are looking for opportunities by disrupting everybody else's lives. The EU should seriously look into keeping these illegal immigrants where they belong and that is the countries they come from. As for Malta, out Government of the day should insist that our neighbor and friend Libya stop these illegal immigrants from leaving their shore to come to Malta. Let us start calling a spade a spade and not behave like the profitable NGOs who make a good living at the expense of these illegal immigrants. malta has to decide, Push Back or Push Forward? Sooner or later somebody has to make that decision.

Nationalist MEP candidate says government will not deliver on burden sharing

PN and PL candidates clash over Casa’s vote against citizenship scheme; MEP candidates Kevin Plumpton, Raymond Bugeja, Lino Bianco and Clint Camilleri say influx of migrants is “unsustainable” and call for greater European solidarity;