Malta's campaign to address illegal immigration

In the past few years a dramatic increase of illegal immigration activity across the Mediterranean has taken place. All indicators point towards a future of even more migratory flows from north to south in the decade ahead. Such an increase in human trafficking is already having a major negative impact on the countries of origin, transit and destination of such activity and risks destabilising Euro-Mediterranean relations.

Located in the centre of the Mediterranean, Malta finds itself in the precarious position of largely being a country of transit in the ever-increasing flow of humans moving from the southern shores of the Mediterranean to Europe.

Realising that such a dramatic increase in illegal immigration is quickly becoming a major source of instability at a local, regional and international level, Malta has started to implement a comprehensive foreign policy strategy to raise awareness and also take the necessary action to deal more effectively with this new form of human slavery that dominates the contemporary transnational Euro-Mediterranean security agenda.

Malta's enhanced foreign policy strategy concerning illegal immigration is evident from the 17 point document that Foreign Minister Michael Frendo presented to all EU ambassadors accredited to Malta earlier this month.

The impressive document illustrates clearly the "unique and critical dimension" faced by Malta in dealing with the phenomenon of illegal immigration" given that Malta is the smallest and most densely populated country in the EU and the second most densely populated country in the world.

The policy document also highlights the current severe strains that the arrival of as many as three thousand illegal migrants since 2002 is having on Malta's health, employment and social services, and its internal security and public order.

The document also makes it perfectly clear that Malta has been one of the most generous, just and humane actors in this regard, accepting the highest rate of refugee and protected humanitarian status illegal immigrants in the entire EU.

When it comes to a plan of action the policy document emphasises that the principles of solidarity and burden sharing which lie at the heart of the EU need to be applied in such an instance.

Specific recommendations of action include support for repatriation in those cases which have been rejected by Malta's Commissioner or refugees through the sharing in arrangements to return illegal immigrants to their countries of origin, support in the resettlement of those who have been given asylum or protected humanitarian status, and assistance to provide adequate logistical and other facilities for the reception and efficient administration of illegal immigrants. Malta also supports strengthening co-operation in maritime security through an enhanced naval presence along the EU's southern borders.

Momentum in communicating clearly Malta's illegal immigration foreign policy agenda was further strengthened in mid July when Dr Frendo appealed to his European counterparts at the EU foreign ministerial meeting in Brussels to provide both more aid and understanding in light of the particular difficulties Malta is facing with regard to the issue of illegal immigration.

The concerted effort Malta is launching to address this issue in a more coherent manner is also apparent from the wide-ranging nature of policy pronouncements.

The topic of illegal immigration was the subject of a joint non-paper presented by Malta and Libya at the Malta meeting of the Western Mediterranean Dialogue, also referred to as the 5+5 Dialogue, at the end of last month.

The issue was also the main item on the agenda at the recent meeting in Malta between Dr Frendo and EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini, during which Dr Frendo reiterated his appeal to the EU to act on illegal immigration urgently in a concerted and holistic manner.

Malta's strategy to deal with the issue of illegal immigration in a more comprehensive manner also includes a long-term perspective with the mapping out of an international agenda which includes the holding of conferences in Tripoli early next year and Malta later next year.

Looking further ahead, in its communication to the EU Council and the European Parliament in light of the tenth anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, the European Commission recommended that a Euro-Mediterranean conference of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers, with the participation of local authorities, should be held in 2007 to discuss management of migratory flows and social integration.

This will certainly be another occasion to further elaborate upon an international policy mechanism that will seek to reduce the negative dimension of human trafficking.

Dr Calleya is an international relations analyst.