Updated: European Parliament approves new asylum system, Ministry calls on EU to focus on tangible solidarity

The EU must focus on increasing tangible solidarity among member states, mainly in the form of intra-EU relocation, given that Malta faced disproportionate pressure, the Home Affairs Ministry said. In a statement issued after today’s approval in the European Parliament of a “Common European Asylum System”, the ministry insisted that such solidarity would de facto ensure the upkeep of common standards across the EU, not only in terms of recognition of status, but also in terms of eventual integration opportunities. The EP today endorsed rules laying down common procedures and deadlines for handling asylum applications and basic rights for asylum seekers arriving in the EU. During the debate yesterday, Maltese MEPs, both Labour and Nationalists, expressed disappointment that the new package does not include provisions for solidarity, particularly through the transfer of migrants from the country where they would have landed. The ministry said today that it had to be acknowledged that certain members, such as Malta, had natural limitations when it came to integration opportunities, mainly in view of small size and a small labour market. Furthermore, failure to assign due attention to...