Deputy PM pushes for return of failed asylum seekers
Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech emphasised the importance of increased engagement with third countries in the area of irregular immigration, and identified two specific areas which require particular action: • Capacity building assistance to third countries in border management; • An effective joint return flight operations policy. Mr Grech was speaking during the EU Ministers’ Council in preparation for yesterday’s EU summit.
He stressed that the priority measures identified by the Task Force in this regard, including those aimed at facilitating return, deserve particular attention.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the work undertaken by the Task Force should be monitored on regular interim reporting, with a comprehensive and systematic review by the European Council on issues of migration in June.
The importance of interim reporting was echoed by other member states, including Italy, during the meeting.
The discussion on migration flows in the Mediterranean continued at yesterday’s European Council, which was attended by the Prime Minister.
Contractual arrangements should be mutual and voluntary
Turning to the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), Mr Grech said that any proposed “contractual arrangements” between member states and the Commission within the context of a reinforced EMU, should be mutually agreed with full respect to national competence and the principle of subsidiarity.
Moreover, it was important to have an inclusive approach with involvement of all relevant stakeholders. On ‘solidarity mechanisms’, he added that more work was required to clarify the parameters and modalities of this mechanism. Member states should be involved and regularly consulted to secure commitment and full ownership of the proposed mechanism.
The General Affairs Council also discussed and adopted Council Conclusions on the European External Action Service and issues pertaining to Enlargement (as is customary for the December GAC) with particular reference to Serbia, Turkey, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.