‘Urgent’ need to speed up discussions on migration – Abela
Returning those ineligible for asylum a 'crucial pillar' of migration policy, PM says
Discussions on migration should be “urgently” accelerated and the EU should work more closely with origin countries such as Libya, the Prime Minister has said.
Speaking at a European Council meeting in Brussels, Prime Minister Robert Abela said while there had been “positive developments” because of European Commission initiatives, there was a need to speed up discussions, according to a government statement Friday morning.
Abela stressed the “effective return” of those ineligible for asylum was a “crucial pillar” of the bloc’s migration policy “and one that sends a clear message to human traffickers”, the statement said.
The PM also discussed migration in a meeting with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on the margins of the summit.
Malta has stepped up its cooperation with Libya in recent years, signing a memorandum of understanding on migration with the country in 2020 and inaugurating an immigration coordination centre in the North African country months later.
The centre's work is extremely secretive, and little is known about how it operates.
Recently collated data showed that rescues of migrant boats by Malta’s armed forces in Malta’s search and rescue zone plummeted by 90% in the years since the deal was signed, while interceptions by Libyan militia forces – long criticised for human rights abuses – surged by a staggering 230%.
The EU provides funding to Libyan militia forces which act as the Libyan coastguard, while the bloc’s border force Frontex coordinates with Libyan forces.
On competitiveness, Abela stressed the importance of the single market while advocating for deeper economic ties with countries outside the EU “to promote greater prosperity, growth, and job creation”.
Turning to ongoing conflicts, the PM reiterated Malta’s position favouring de-escalation in Ukraine and said the international community could not “continue to ignore the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza”, while also mentioning the families of hostages taken by Hamas during the attacks on October 7, 2023.
Defending Malta’s vote in favour of a €800 billion plan to bolster European defence spending – which included a statement pledging "unwavering support" for Ukraine – in March, Abela said Ukraine was “not going to win” the war, while stressing the government had secured guarantees it would not be involved in arms purchases.
Abela said the escalation in the Middle East was “creating economic and trade challenges along maritime routes” while stressing the need for an EU “contingency plan”.
Other topics covered included Moldova – granted EU candidate status in 2022 – and the Western Balkans region.