MaltaMedia.com

The European Council meeting concluded Friday afternoon has welcomed the intention of the European Commission to take initiatives for the co-ordination of voluntary measures for the settlement of migrants starting with a pilot project for Malta.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the two day gathering of 27 heads of Government of EU member states, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed satisfaction at the direct reference made in the Presidency conclusions to a pilot intra-community voluntary relocation programme for Malta that is intended to ease the immigration burden.

When asked by MaltaMedia about the refusal of some member states to accept an obligatory re- settlement of migrants from Malta, the Prime Minister acknowledged the fact that some countries are unwilling to commit themselves and are only prepared to accept voluntary measures for the internal reallocation of beneficiaries of international protection.

The European Council, in its conclusions, also underlined the need for strengthened border control operations coordinated by FRONTEX and called for strong action to fight effectively against organized crime related to the trafficking of human beings.

The issues that dominated proceedings during this European Council meeting included the nomination of the President of the European Commission, the economic and financial situation in Europe and the package of guarantees designed to persuade Irish citizens to vote yes to the Lisbon Treaty in a second referendum later this year.

The 27 European Union leaders have given Ireland legally-binding assurances that the Lisbon Treaty would not affect Irish policies on military neutrality, taxes and abortion. The BBC reported that French President Nicolas Sarkozy said leaders had agreed to Irish demands that the guarantees would be given the status of a treaty “protocol” but would not affect the other 26 member countries.

The European Council also agreed in principle to a new framework of rules to oversee the EU’s financial sector.

Late on Thursday the 27 leaders backed by consensus Jose Manuel Barroso for a new term as president of the European Commission. Barroso had no rival but his nomination still requires the approval of the European Parliament in July.