EU to hold summit on immigration
Times Of Malta
Wednesday, 13th January 2010 – 13:13CET
The European Union is to hold a meeting of government leaders in June specifically to discuss illegal immigration, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy announced in Malta today.
He made his comment after a meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi during which the migration issue was discussed.
Dr Gonzi said the planned meeting was a first and it may even become an annual event, reflecting the way how Malta had put immigration on the EU agenda.
Mr Van Rompuy said migration was a concern not just for Malta but for the whole EU. Malta's special situation, with a disproportionate number of migrants, had been highlighted in his talks with Dr Gonzi, the president said.
The EU president is in Malta on a whirlwind visit.
He arrived in Malta late in the morning and was welcomed to Castille by Dr Gonzi.
In a press conference after the meeting, Mr Van Rompuy said the EU was facing two big crises, the economy and climate change, which would be discussed during an informal summit next month.
The EU president flew in from Athens and will head for Berlin this evening for talks during a working dinner with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The visit to Malta is part of the tour of EU capitals by the President.
