Immediate action must be taken to help third countries increase their border management capabilities – Camilleri

Immediate action must be taken to help third countries increase their capabilities with respect to border management, Minister for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement Byron Camilleri said.

The minister participated in a MED5 summit between the 24th and the 25th of September. Malta, Italy, Spain, Greece and Cyprus met during several meetings in Malaga to discuss the latest developments on matters related to migration.

The discussion focused on the progress concerning the EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as the external dimension of migration.

Minister Camilleri stressed that the discussions on the pact should continue. He referred to Malta’s experience in the past year as testament to the possibility of reducing migratory flows by means of effective co-operation with third countries.

“Malta believes that the EU should focus more on what unites us, not on what divides us. There is a broad consensus between Member States to help third countries tackle human trafficking, as well as aid countries of origin to create more opportunities for their younger generation and increase co-operation on returns,” said Minister Camilleri. He also called for adequate and proportionate funding to third countries on all migratory routes.

The ministers approved a joint statement which calls for a prevention strategy as the most important priority in the fight against irregular migration and human trafficking. Such strategies must be adequately funded and consider the urgent necessities of countries of transit of origin. In this respect, the statements call for the EU’s Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument to be operational as soon as possible.

Besides the need to work with third countries, the ministers agreed that the events at Europe’s borders with Belarus, as well as the situation in Afghanistan, confirmed once again the need to have an EUwide solidarity mechanism in place which includes mandatory relocation.