Malta, 7 May 2019
Dear all,
I am happy to be back in Malta, this warm and welcoming, European nation.
I would like to thank President Vella, Prime Minister Muscat, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abela, Minister of Home Affairs Farrugia, and Minister of European Affairs Dalli for their hospitality.
It is a hospitality that we have seen many times, in many circumstances.
Only a few weeks ago, the episode of the Allan Kurdi was once again an opportunity to commend Malta for being the smallest Member State with the biggest solidarity.
Without a doubt, Malta is facing great migration challenges compared to the size of its population.
Overall, at the EU level, we have returned to the pre-crisis levels of irregular arrivals.
Here in Malta, however, arrivals increased in 2018 due to search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean and the volatile situation in Libya.
That is why we continue to stand ready to provide Malta with the necessary operational and financial support to strengthen its reception and migration capacities.
EU funds are of course available to continue to enable the transfer of disembarked persons to other Member States.
I would also like to commend those Member States that have shown solidarity with Malta each time a boat had to disembark in Malta.
Already 575 out 687 foreseen relocations from Malta have taken place – this is more than 80%! And this includes the 67 relocations following the disembarkation of the Allan Kurdi vessel.
This tangible solidarity should allow to rebuild confidence between Member States and create the conditions to move forward on the reform of the Common European Asylum system.
Indeed, we need predictable but also lasting solidarity.
We will continue to work with Member States to establish long-term durable European solutions swiftly.
We count on Malta’s support in developing EU-wide agreements on disembarkation and asylum reform, and in supporting neighbouring third countries on both sides of the Mediterranean.
I very much welcome that Malta has offered support to build up the Libyan Coast Guards’ capacity, and I also encourage Malta to continue to support an EU-funded project for enhanced border management in Libya.
Border management is an essential element in better managing migration and reducing irregular migration.
This is why I am very pleased that we have reached an agreement a few weeks ago to strengthen the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
The standing corps of 10,000 will start being gradually rolled out already from 2021 onwards, the cooperation with third countries will also expand, and the Agency will be able to help even more with returns.
All of this has to go hand in hand with our support to our neighbouring countries. Especially in libya we are working with UNHCR and IOM to improve the conditions of the migrants and their transfer outside the country to the EU through resettlement if they are in need of protection, or to their country of origin or other African partners.
My final word concerns the upcoming European elections and our future. Amidst rising populist and nationalistic narratives as well as fake news, our citizens can feel scared or manipulated.
We must keep listening to our citizens, addressing their fears and concerns, but also informing them duly and honestly about our actions and achievements.
This is exactly what we have done at European level. In the past 4,5 years, we have built a Europe that is more secure and more resilient. Our stronger borders and information systems are but one example of this.
Many focus on the disagreements – but collectively we have achieved more in these years on both migration and security issues than in the decades before.
I hope in the future we will not need other crises to show us that we need to work together in the same direction.
These are all challenges that can only be addressed collectively.
This is exactly what the EU is for.
Thank you.