Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-04-03-Speech-1-079"
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"en.20060403.9.1-079"2
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"Mr President, the problems faced by Malta affect the European Union as a whole and call for a global approach to the management of migration and asylum. The external borders of the European Union are under permanent pressure from irregular migratory flows, and many people who undertake such journeys require protection.
In December the European Council identified a series of measures that would boost the EU’s external policies on migration and asylum. The Commission is actively seeking to find structural answers to the pressure of heavy migration on the European Union and its partner countries. In that respect, the EU-Africa Ministerial Conference held on 10 and 11 July in Rabat, reinforced cooperation with the African Union and dialogue with the main countries of origin have been important new political initiatives designed to discuss migration issues in detail and, at the same time, to find durable joint solutions.
The Commission is aware of the particular situation in Malta and is taking the following action to improve the situation. The most immediate assistance available to Malta at EU level is through the appropriate EU financial programmes. The European Refugee Fund already provides financial support for Member States in bearing the consequences of receiving refugees and displaced persons.
Support for the development of adequate reception conditions for asylum seekers is a priority of the European Refugee Fund, and Malta benefits from the Fund’s assistance in that area. The European Refugee Fund allocated to Malta EUR 114 000 in 2004, EUR 500 000 in 2005 and EUR 600 000 in 2006. In addition, the Commission most recently agreed to provide financing of EUR 120 000 for a project to improve reception conditions on Malta as part of the ARGO Programme.
In order to address specific situations, such as those faced by Malta in recent months, amendments will also be proposed to the European Refugee Fund to enable Member States to access funds more quickly, and with the minimum administrative burden, to deal with the consequences of sudden arrivals of large numbers of people who may be in need of international protection. Specifically, the amendments will aim to support emergency measures to grant appropriate reception conditions for asylum seekers, including basic needs and fair and effective asylum procedures.
The Commission will also shortly be making a proposal for a Council decision to ensure practical cooperation between Member States, as set out in the Communication on Strengthening Practical Cooperation adopted on 17 February. That proposal will initiate the setting-up of expert teams to assist Member States in situations such as those Malta is facing with reception conditions and asylum processing.
The directive on reception conditions, now applicable, sets a minimum standard for the accommodation of asylum seekers, including those held in detention or with restrictions on their freedom of movement. The Commission is monitoring implementation of the directive and particular attention will be paid to how Malta is applying it, also in the light of the reports from honourable Members of this House following last week’s visit. A report on the application of the directive and possible improvements will be presented to the European Parliament in the autumn."@en1
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