Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska demanded this Saturday from the EU a different solidarity mechanism from the one available on migration between member states. “too slow, too selective, and not very predictable with very few results”.
This was expressed in the context of his meeting in Valletta (Malta) with their MED5 counterparts, consisting of Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Spain, where the Spanish Government stressed its “willingness to continue”. demand progress in terms of relocation” and work to achieve a “balance” between solidarity mechanisms and responsibility mechanisms in the future Migration and Asylum Pact.
“We wish reach an agreement, but any agreement is not valid. The future Pact needs to be balanced, if not perfect, and provide satisfactory answers to national interests and problems, but above all to Europeans”, referring to the need to achieve this balance, as detailed by Home Affairs in a publication.
The minister also chose to strengthen the external dimension and receive financial support to encourage cooperation. Opening relations with third countries to other issues of common interest, such as police cooperation in the fight against organized crime, civil protection or road safety is a formula that has worked for Spain, Revitalizing bilateral relations, which has positive effects on the prevention of illegal immigration,” he said.
Likewise, put it as a reference “Significant decrease in the number of irregular arrivals in Spain”It reinforces the downward trend experienced in 2022, which has accumulated with a decrease of 56.9 percent this year and closed with a decrease of 25.6 percent.
In line with this cooperation, he thought that the future solidarity mechanism in the Migration and Asylum Pact could constitute. “good opportunity to get financing through additional channels” to third countries.
Grande-Marlaska also informed its MED5 counterparts that Spain has forwarded a document to the Commission containing various support and financing opportunities for third countries, from air and sea patrols to training activities, equipment deliveries and new infrastructures. .
Meeting with the Swedish Minister of Immigration
On the other hand, Swedish Minister of Immigration, Maria Malmer, who was invited to the MED5 meeting, had a bilateral meeting with Stenegard. two looking They exchanged views on the pact negotiationsAs countries that will replace each other in the Presidency of the Council.
Grande-Marlaska insisted in the presence of the Swedish minister that action must be taken against the “mafia of human trafficking”. “This should be our main goal, liquidate, intercept those who organize these dangerous voyages and rescue those in distress on the high seas“, added.