Barroso promises ‘decisive action’ on migration, but EU leaders non-committal
Karl Stagno-Navarra
European Commission President Jose’ Manuel Durao Barroso has promised “decisive action” in addressing the flow of illegal migration in the Mediterranean, and is in the process of finalising a set of proposals to all member states.
In an interview with Italy’s ‘Corriere della Sera’ newspaper yesterday, Barroso explained that the proposals are being prepared by himself in coordination with EU Commissioner Jacques Barrot.
The proposals, he said, are based on three principles: first, to prevent more tragedies at sea; second, the safeguard of free circulation; and third, to safeguard the rights of asylum seekers.
The EU President insisted that “the EU is well aware of the serious situation countries like Italy and Malta are facing, and it is high time that Europe respons to this crisis.”
He added that a serious debate about the EU’s responsibility towards Italy and Malta will be tabled at the next Council of Ministers for home affairs to be held next June 5.
Barroso explained that the issue of more concrete solidarity between all EU member states is necessary to secure an efficient plan of action on migration.
So far the EU Commission has remained uncommitted to the joint Italy-Malta proposal for immigration to be debated between all EU heads of government at the next EU Summit to be held in Brussels on the 18-19th of June. According to Barroso, “the agenda at the summit is already full,”
But notwithstanding the EU Commission’s position on the agenda for the EU Summit, a meeting held in Luxembourg on Monday evening for all foreign affairs ministers, is reported to have boosted the Italy-Malta plan for a discussion on migration at heads of government level.
Diplomatic sources have confirmed that so far, the Italy-Malta proposal has acquired the strategic backing of Spain, Greece and Cyprus, and possibly also of France, Sweden and Finland.
The outgoing Czech Presidency of the EU has not committed itself to inserting migration on the EU leaders agenda. However the incoming Swedish Presidency is all set for a wide debate on the issues rotating around migration.
Czech Foreign minister Jan Kohout is reported to have spoken to his European counterparts: “I cannot promise anything, but the proposal has added value.”
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
Download front page in pdf file format
All the interviews from Reporter on MaltaToday's YouTube channel.
