Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-07-05-Speech-3-365"

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"Almost three months have passed since this Parliament approved a very important resolution. The resolution listed the problems which Malta is facing as a result of illegal immigration. A resolution which offered plausible solutions, but which has unfortunately been ignored by both the Commission and the Council of Ministers. The problem we have before us today is much more critical and acute than it was at that time; unfortunately, the Commission's efforts up to now have been at a minimum and almost without any effect, and we cannot say that we have seen any positive steps taken since that time. We are facing the disembarkation of illegal immigrants on a day-to-day basis. The solution is not to build more detention centres, because we would be reducing little Malta to an enormous jail. We want Europe to face its responsibilities, we want the Commission to treat each country according to its merits, and I have no doubt that due to our small size, Malta's problem is the most serious one of all, and requires the greatest immediate attention. We were promised concrete action, but I would like to say that next to nothing has happened; for example, in April you promised us maritime supervision in the region, today I was happy to hear you say that this issue has been solved, but Commissioner, when are these patrols around our Mediterranean coasts going to begin? The consequence is that, as my colleagues Louis Grech and Simon Busuttil have said, over four thousand illegal immigrants have entered Malta in the past two weeks. This is the equivalent of sixty thousand in Italy, or eighty thousand in Germany. And this summer is just beginning, just think, Commissioner, what a situation we will be in when the year finishes. Today I heard you talk of plans approved for Spain, which is excellent, but you are saying that Malta will be the second phase; when is this second phase going to begin: when it is too late, Commissioner? Yes, the Maltese people are right to see these as empty words, because they are saying: where is the solidarity we talk about so much? How can we expect Malta to carry this enormous burden on its own, and when are we truly going to go from the many nice words to concrete action? The Maltese people are frustrated, and are right to be so, because the situation is alarming. This is the moment of truth. This is the moment for the Commission and the Council to prove to small countries like Malta that they are not being discriminated against by the European Union."@en1

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