From Valletta, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Evarist Bartolo, advocated for strengthening the Libyan Coastguard.
“We will continue supporting the Libyan Coastguard in order to strengthen their capacity of intervention to dismantle trafficking networks and conduct rescue operations in their area of responsibility”, promised the High Representative, who recalled that this was being done through two EU CSDP operations: EUNAVOR MED IRINI and EUBAM Libya.
Mr Borrell told the press that Mr Bartolo had explained to him that there was a real need to increase the capacity of the Libyan Coastguard, but without saying whether he shared this opinion. “We have to help the coastguard to manage the coast”, Mr Bartolo confirmed, adding that departures from the coast were managed by traffickers and that this contributed to the underground economy. Questioned by EUROPE concerning the training of coastguards, the European External Action Service had not, at the time of going to press, responded to our request.
Asked about Malta's attitude towards IRINI (see EUROPE 12485/19), Mr Borrell said that the problems had been solved. “We had to overcome difficulties, but thanks to our good relations, we overcame them”, he added, without specifying whether this meant that Malta had lifted its threats to block future funding for the operation.
The Maltese minister also felt that more work should be done with Africa. “We have to re-engage, because we have to work together so that young Africans have a future in their own country”, he said. He said the Covid-19 crisis will push 27 million people into extreme poverty, while countries of transit and arrival of migrants have less to offer them.
The High Representative recalled that the migration issue was linked to the broader issue of the situation in Libya and said that a long-term solution was needed. “We fully share Malta's determination to deal with illegal migration in a comprehensive manner, starting by tackling the crisis in Libya and supporting the Libyan authorities”, explained Mr Borrell. According to Mr Bartolo, Europeans must do everything possible to have a united Libya, for the Libyans, and led by themselves, because any other solution would not work.
As Malta is facing an influx of migrants and has repeatedly called on other Member States to show solidarity, the High Representative said that the Commission will soon present its new asylum package which calls for an automatic disembarkation and redistribution mechanism. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)