S&D leader Gianni Pitella in Malta visit ahead of Valletta summit

MEPs from the  Socialists & Democrats group in the European Parliament will be conducted a fact-finding mission in Malta today Monday in conjunction with the Valletta summit on migration.

They will meet foreign minister George Vella, civil liberties Helena Dalli, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and deputy prime minister Louis Grech, as well as government whip Godfrey Farrugia and Speaker Anglu Farrugia.

The MEPs, who include S&D leader Gianni Pittella and Maltese MEP Miriam Dalli, will also visit the Marsa open centre for migrants,

“This is a symbolic summit called upon to demonstrate that EU and Africa share a common desire to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on migration issue. No continent or country alone can respond individually to the challenges of migration – it is essential we work closely with African partners to reach a sustainable solution,” Pitella said of the Valletta summit.

“However this desire to find a rapid solution to the refugee crisis cannot come at the expense of our long-term commitments to Africa. We must not use development aid as a bargaining-chip for stronger border control or enhanced returns agreements. If we do this we are merely addressing the symptoms of the crisis and not the root cause. In the long run we must focus on helping African countries to become stable and economically prosperous. If we do not do this then the crisis of the last few years will go from being an exceptional situation to the permanent reality.”

On her part Miriam Dalli said the EU-African Union Summit can be the first step towards closer collaboration between the two continents on the issue of migration.

“If the two sides start discussing long-term solutions to the issue then the first blocks would have been laid. This is a unique opportunity in that it brings the Heads of the EU states and the African states together.

“As to the African Fund I do not want to see the EU throw money to the problem just for the sake of it without making sure that citizens in the different African countries are actually benefitting from such money. I want the EU to come out with a concrete plan, where money would be managed by established reputable international organisations who can make sure that projects are actually implemented for the benefit of the different communities and which generate employment in the region for African citizens themselves.”