Leaders express solidarity but make no new pledges

EU leaders yesterday discussed the need to show more solidarity with overburdened member states, including Malta, in their fight against illegal immigration and will today approve summit conclusions to this effect.

However, despite their stance, it seems no new pledges have been made to Malta since last July's launch of the voluntary inter-EU relocation programme specifically designed to take refugees from the island.

Asked about this issue during the EU summit yesterday in Brussels, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said there have been countries that signalled their interest in taking part in the scheme but he did not name any.

"Member states now have until the end of November to state whether they will be participating in this project and we will have to await their response," Dr Gonzi said when pressed.

Following a Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting last September, EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot had expressed his disappointment that only six member states had decided to take part in the pilot project. In total, they pledged to relocate 100 refugees now stuck in Malta. Apart from France, no other "big" member state has so far made pledges to Malta. Sweden, which normally leads such initiatives in order to stimulate other member states to follow, has been conspicuous by its absence. Despite the negative response shown in the project, Malta yesterday insisted on new declarations to be agreed by the European Council on migration and asylum.

According to draft conclusions seen by The Times, EU leaders will note "the launch of the pilot project for Malta and the concrete solidarity showed by a number of member states in the reallocation of beneficiaries of international protection".

At the same time, they will also "urge more member states to participate in the project, on a voluntary basis".

The strengthening of the EU's border control agency, Frontex, will also be tackled by the European leaders.

According to the draft conclusions, EU leaders will call for the enhancement of the operational capabilities of Frontex through "the preparation of clear common operational procedures containing clear rules of engagement for joint operations at sea" and the "examination of the possibility of regular chartering financed by Frontex of joint return flights".

EU leaders are also expected to call for the establishment by the end of this year of the European Asylum Support Office. Malta, Cyprus and Bulgaria are bidding to host the agency.