EU unlikely to agree on African refugees in June

EU unlikely to agree on African refugees in June | Prague Monitor

ČTK |
5 June 2009

Luxembourg, June 4 (CTK) - The European Union is unlikely to reach an agreement on how to help countries like Italy and Malta cope with waves of illegal migrants under the Czech EU presidency that will last till the end of June, Czech Interior Minister Martin Pecina told journalists Thursday.

Thousands of illegal immigrants get from north Africa across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe every year.

"The discussion has only just started," said Pecina who headed an EU meeting dealing with the issue Thursday.

Pecina said he believes some form of voluntary cooperation will be agreed on.

France and Portugal have already accepted some refugees from Malta, for example.

EU Commissioner Jacques Barrot, in charge of justice, freedom and security, Thursday also spoke about voluntary help.

However, Italy would like other EU countries to help it compulsorily. Some EU countries seem to consider this unacceptable.

According to the Italian authorities, 36,900 refugees reached Italy's shores in 2008, which was 75 percent more than in 2007.

The Italian parliament passed a new law in May that considers the country's illegal entry and illegal stay a crime. Italy has returned some 500 migrants to Africa based on the law since then. This was criticised by the United Nations, the Catholic Church and humanitarian organisations.

The issue is to be discussed at the EU summit on June 18-19, but a compromise solution will probably be sought by the Swedes to whom the Czechs will hand the EU presidency.