Migrants, declaration of Italy, Malta, Cyprus and Greece: disappointment on relocation

In a joint declaration, Italy, Malta, Cyprus and Greece – the countries of first entry into Europe in the Mediterranean – define “regrettable and disappointing” the non-compliance with the relocation agreements of migrants. “Unfortunately – the note reads -, the number of relocation commitments undertaken by participating Member States represents only a very small fraction of the actual number of irregular arrivals”. The mechanism, they add, has proved “slow” in easing the pressure on “front-line” countries.

Italy, Malta, Cyprus and Greece invite NGOs to “respect” the “international legal framework on search and rescue operations”. “Each State – the note reads – must effectively exercise jurisdiction and control over the ships flying its own flag”. Furthermore, the four countries consider “urgent and necessary” a discussion on the coordination of NGOs in compliance with international conventions. “” All flag states assume their responsibilities in accordance with their international obligations “, concludes the note, inviting the ‘EU to take steps to start the discussion.

“Since everyone is filling their mouths with the word European solidarity, let’s try to apply it. By now the Pope and Mattarella have said it too, Europe strikes a beat”. The leader of the League and Minister for Infrastructure said so Matteo Salvini. “If during this year among the tens of thousands, now we are almost 90 thousand, of immigrants who have arrived in Italy, the famous European solidarity has placed 117 in other countries, where is it? – he concluded -. It cannot be everything on the shoulders of Italy, Spain, Greece or Malta and Cyprus. Europe is all of Europe “.

The joint declaration
“Italy, Greece, Malta and Cyprus, as countries of first entry into Europe, through the central and eastern Mediterranean route – reads the note -, find themselves bearing the heaviest burden of managing migratory flows in the Mediterranean, in full compliance with all international obligations and EU standards. We have always strongly supported the need to develop a new European policy on migration and asylum, truly inspired by the principles of solidarity and responsibility, and which is shared equally among all Member States “. “On June 10, 2022 – continues the joint declaration -, we approved a Political Declaration that establishes a temporary and voluntary relocation mechanism, despite the fact that the MED 5 countries supported a mandatory relocation scheme. Unfortunately, the number of relocation commitments undertaken by the States participating members represents only a very small fraction of the actual number of irregular arrivals we have received so far this year. Furthermore, to date the mechanism has proved slow in achieving its stated goal of alleviating the burden that all we, as front-line Member States, are constantly exposed, as so far only a small number of relocations have been carried out. All this is regrettable and disappointing, especially at this time when our countries are increasingly facing migratory pressure. which is putting a strain on our asylum and reception system “. “We cannot subscribe to the idea that the countries of first entry are the only possible European landing points for illegal immigrants – concludes the note -, especially when this happens in an uncoordinated way on the basis of a choice made by private ships, which they act in total autonomy from the competent state authorities “.