CHOGM likely to tackle illegal migration

Illegal immigration is likely to be a surprise item on the agenda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November after a request by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who is chairing the meeting.

Dr Gonzi, who made the request in a letter to Commonwealth secretary general Don McKinnon, said the problem of human trafficking was an important issue that formed part of the theme chosen by Malta for CHOGM, Networking the Commonwealth for Development.

The move is significant since British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who holds the presidency of the EU, is attending the meeting being held between November 25 and 27. Various other Commonwealth leaders come from Africa, where 85 per cent of Malta's illegal immigrants originate from.

Malta has been putting pressure on the EU to take a tough stance against illegal immigration for a number of weeks. The island received the highest percentage increase in the number of new asylum applications in the first six months of the year when compared to the other EU states, according to UNHCR figures.

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo recently told an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers that African countries receiving development aid from the EU should play their part in carrying out their obligations according to international trade agreements.

The UK presidency has agreed to put the topic on the agenda of the EU's general affairs and external relations council in November after a joint request by Malta and Italy.

However, during a recent visit to Malta, the UK Minister for Immigration, Tony McNulty said it would be difficult for the UK to accept a refugee resettlement programme, as proposed by Malta, but promised that alleviating the problem of immigration in the Mediterranean was a priority for the British EU presidency.

In his letter to the Commonwealth secretary general, Dr Gonzi also proposed a discussion on combating international terrorism as well as trade, poverty and economic stability.

Mr McKinnon has written to all 53 Commonwealth leaders before he officially sets the CHOGM agenda. He told them that the theme proposed by Malta was sufficiently broad to cover both the digital divide as well as other issues that are the subject of current debate in international meetings.

However, Mr McKinnon asked the leaders not to overcrowd the agenda for their discussions during the "retreat" phase of the meeting at the Golden Sands Hotel in Ghajn Tuffieha and to determine what issues could be discussed by the foreign ministers meeting in Malta in the two days preceding CHOGM.

Dr Gonzi said he agreed with the secretary general on the overcrowding issue. However, he stressed that the points he had identified as forming part of Malta's theme should be among the core themes discussed during the leaders' "retreat".

A maximum of two advisers will be allowed to sit with each leader at the executive sessions.