Edward Scicluna - EU pro-active action needed on immigration

Description: Prof Edward Scicluna, Labour MEP for Malta, today called for EU action to prevent economic migration from developing countries from arising in the first place. Following the vote on a Parliament report on the effects of the financial crisis on developing countries Professor Scicluna told MEPs: "Controlling immigration from developing countries as a consequence of poverty resulting from the financial crisis is reactive." "So often, our work at European level is reactive rather than pro-active. But with development policy we must be pro-active, particularly in its potential impact on migration flows" Referring to the report's recommendation for EU countries not to halt development programmes aimed at reducing poverty, Prof Scicluna commented: "By investing in development programmes in Africa we would prevent undesirable immigration flows while also helping the world's poorest countries keep their young, ablest and brightest talent at home, in order to contribute to their country's development. "The cause of most immigration (especially that experienced in the Mediterranean Region) is economic and not political"