Brussels ditches proposal to aid Malta relocate migrants

Hopes that Malta would get help to relocate irregular migrants were dashed as “harsh resistance” forced a change of plans. Speaking at the European Parliament, European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said the Commission would not deliver on its 2011 promise to propose a permanent, voluntary scheme and complained it was a non-starter. Following an influx of irregular migrants to Malta some years ago and intense pressure by the island’s authorities for “concrete solidarity” by the EU, the Commission, in 2009, had launched a pilot project called Eurema, specifically designed for member states to relocate asylum seekers from Malta. The voluntary scheme provided financial compensation for countries relocating recognised refugees and people with international protection. Following more pressure and European Parliament intervention, the Commission announced in 2011 that it would make a legislative proposal to make the scheme permanent. Although the EU executive had promised to make the proposal last year, it postponed its launch, until this latest decision was announced. Ms Malmström said Brussels would now propose an annual forum to discuss transfers of refugees among EU...