Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-02-15-Speech-2-502-000"
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"en.20110215.27.2-502-000"2
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"Madam President, if Mr Busuttil had listened to what I said in my introduction, he would have heard that I said almost everything that was in his speech, but I am happy to repeat it. We are ready to use the funds that we have at our disposal to assist the Italian authorities immediately. We are in dialogue with them to identify what kind of help they need. Italy has a lot of experience in dealing with different kinds of disasters but they perhaps need help with humanitarian aid for shelter, food and medicines, and they might also need help with screening, assistance and identification. We will put that help at their disposal and we are talking to them about this at the moment.
This is a European responsibility and that is why we have to come up with European solutions. We have Frontex staff in place, but we are also examining the possibility – and we are ready – of setting up a Frontex operation within a very short time, but, of course, we need to discuss the modalities with Italy and also with the other countries that might possibly contribute. I am happy that Mr Busuttil is the rapporteur for Frontex so that in the future, we will have an even better functioning Frontex with amendments.
If we had a Frontex operation in Tunisian waters, we would, of course, need to do this in cooperation with the Tunisian authorities. We are not there yet. We are also encouraging the Tunisian authorities to take back their nationals who are not in need of international protection. We are looking at the law in this respect, as raised by Mr Tavares and others. We hope that the new democratic government will not have such a law, but, of course, it has to be examined on a case by case basis and looked at carefully. We are also willing to support the Tunisian authorities with advice, support for border and police management, and also with training, equipment and funds.
EASO is still not operational in Malta, but there is a board functioning and they have said that they can send national teams to Italy to help should they wish. We will also discuss it this next week at the Foreign Affairs Council and at the JHA Council that will meet next week. We are working with UNHCR in order to ask them to help in the identification of those in need of international protection and to help us to make analysis for the future. Frontex is also involved in doing analysis for the whole region.
In Tunisia, there is, of course, as most of you have said, a very hopeful situation and we all support the democratic development there. Lady Ashton was there yesterday for discussions with the authorities. We are ready to offer election support to them in carrying out elections. We are discussing different ways to strengthen other kinds of support and to develop and strengthen their democratic development. Economic assistance can be provided. We are discussing different mobility programmes and we also need to increase the possibilities for people to come legally to Europe. There is also discussion about a donor conference.
I agree with Mr Mauro and others who said that of course, we need to look at the whole region. I think many were quite surprised when the Berlin Wall fell. We did not have an action plan immediately up our sleeve. This situation is a little different but, of course, people asking for freedom and democracy is something that we in the European Union should support. We are reviewing the neighbourhood policy plan because events have made it necessary and we are looking at the whole region – in particular Egypt, but also the other countries – in order to maximise the different tools, funds and policies that we have at our disposal and to tailor them much more adequately to the recent developments in the region.
I am sure we will come back to this debate because the issue is on the agenda and is likely to stay there, but I want to assure you once again that the Commission is following this very closely. We are ready to assist Italy, Tunisia and other countries affected by this."@en1
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