Maltese MEPs back EU texts paving way to send asylum seekers to non-EU countries
PL MEPs broke with the majority of their centre-left colleagues
All Maltese MEPs voted in favour of a text, adopted by the European Parliament, which would make it easier for member states to send asylum seekers to countries they did not come from but are considered 'safe'.
While PN MEPs David Casa and Peter Agius supported the text, in line with their centre-right European People’s Party group, PL MEPs Alex Agius Saliba, Daniel Attard, and Thomas Bajada broke with the majority of their centre-left Socialists & Democrats colleagues.
The European Parliament approved the application of the “safe third country” concept, which removes the requirement for a link between the asylum seeker and the transfer country.
This effectively allows member states to move asylum seekers to countries with which they have no connection, provided there is an agreement in place and the receiving country is considered “safe”.
Italy has sought to test the concept with centres in Albania. However, these migrant centres have largely remained empty since opening in 2024 due to legal challenges, with many Italian judges deeming the scheme unconstitutional.
The measure has faced strong criticism from human rights advocates and left-wing groups. Green MEP Melissa Camara described it as “another step in the dehumanisation of the European Union's migration policy,” accusing it of trampling on the dignity of asylum seekers.
The European Commission rejected these criticisms, insisting that any country receiving migrants under the scheme must respect fundamental rights.
All Maltese MEPs also voted in favour of another measure establishing a list of countries the EU considers “safe.” This would make it more difficult for individuals from these countries to be granted asylum.
The list includes Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, and is intended to speed up asylum claim processing and, where appropriate, accelerate returns.
Once again, the PN MEPs voted in line with their centre-right colleagues, while the PL MEPs voted against the majority of their centre-left group.
These texts add to Europe's goal of tightening EU migration policy, such as the EU's migration pact.
The pact aims to introduce an annual solidarity pool that allows member states under migratory pressure to receive aid from other EU countries to share the burden.
Solidarity contributions can be provided through the relocation of asylum seekers to another member state, financial contributions, or alternative measures. EU member states must now meet at the European Council level to vote on the establishment of the Annual Solidarity Pool for the pact.
The pact is set to be implemented in June 2026.
In Malta's case, it will not qualify for aid, despite being one of the loudest voices for solidarity in Europe, as irregular migration numbers have plummeted in recent years.