A joint statement on the disembarkation of irregular migrants was issued on Saturday by Italy, Greece, Malta and Cyprus, stressing that they do not share the idea that the countries of first reception are the only possible European disembarkation points for irregular migrants, especially when this happens in a non- coordinated, based on a choice made by private vessels, acting with absolute autonomy from the competent state authorities.
At the same time, they ask the European Commission and the Presidency to take the necessary steps to start this discussion on better coordination of operations in the Mediterranean, including by ensuring that all these private vessels comply with the relevant international conventions and other applicable rules and, that all flag states assume responsibility in accordance with their international obligations, is urgent and necessary.
In the announcement it is stated that “Italy, Greece, Malta and Cyprus, as the first receiving countries in Europe, in the central and eastern passage of the Mediterranean bear the greatest burden in terms of the management of migratory flows in the Mediterranean, while fully complying with all international obligations and rules of the European Union”.
“We have always strongly supported the need to develop a new European policy on Migration and Asylum which will be inspired by the principles of solidarity and responsibility, equitably distributed among all member states,” it added.
It is also noted that “on June 10, 2022, we adopted a Political Declaration to establish a temporary and voluntary relocation mechanism, despite the fact that the MED 5 countries supported a mandatory relocation program. Unfortunately, the number of relocation offers made by the participants Member States represents only a very small fraction of the actual number of illegal arrivals we have received so far this year,” the four countries said.
Furthermore, they note, “to date the mechanism has fallen short of achieving its stated objective of alleviating the burden we are constantly exposed to as frontline Member States, as only a small number of relocations have been implemented so far. This is unfortunate and disappointing, especially at this time when our countries are facing an increasing migratory pressure which is testing our asylum and reception system”.
“Pending agreement on an effective, fair and permanent burden-sharing mechanism, we do not share the idea that first-reception countries are the only possible European disembarkation points for irregular migrants, especially when this happens in an uncoordinated way, based on a choice or which is carried out by private vessels, acting with complete autonomy from the competent state authorities,” the statement added.
The four countries reiterate their position that the way these private vessels operate is inconsistent with the spirit of the international legal framework on search and rescue operations, which should be respected. Each state should effectively exercise its jurisdiction and control over ships flying its flag, they underline. to better coordinate these operations in the Mediterranean, including by ensuring that all these private vessels comply with the relevant international conventions and other applicable rules and that all flag states take responsibility in accordance with their international obligations, is urgent and necessary. We ask the European Commission and the Presidency to take the necessary steps to start this discussion”, they conclude.
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