Malta’s EU champion

He’s one of only a handful of Maltese MEPs but, as Martin Banks reports, Simon Busuttil has certainly made his mark

The recent choice of Simon Busuttil to draft parliament’s position on a future EU immigration policy has put paid to the notion that MEPs from new member states have been marginalised. Over the next few months, the 39-year-old deputy will be charged with the important task of drafting one of the assembly’s most keenly awaited reports before next year’s European elections.

The new French presidency and Nicolas Sarkozy’s controversial plans on tackling illegal immigration have once again thrust the issue into the public arena. Busuttil broadly welcomes the French proposals, which include banning blanket immunity for illegal immigrants, an ‘integration contract’ that would oblige immigrants to learn the local language and a ‘blue card’, which would make it easier for foreign professionals to work in the EU.

According to Busuttil, “I see these as thought-provoking proposals and a positive step forward. They come at just the right time and, let’s remember, France has a lot of domestic experience of dealing with the problem of illegal immigration. The French package on immigration strikes the right balance between, on the one hand, tackling illegal immigration and, on the other, increasing, as we should be doing, opportunities for legal entry to the EU. Hopefully, by the end of the French presidency, these proposals will have moved forward.

“This is important because the EU will not be taken seriously on this issue unless it acts decisively on tackling illegal immigration. This is something which, to date, it has failed to do.”

The issue has particular significance for Malta which, so far this year, has registered a 36 per cent increase in the number of illegal immigrants arriving on its shores. Most of them leave by boat from north African countries and, often, have to be pulled out of the sea. Malta’s experience of the problem is probably one of the reasons Busuttil believes he was chosen to draft a report on the subject.

“About 2000 [refugees] are coming every year to Malta,” he says. “With a population of just 400,000, this represents 0.5 per cent of our population. It places a heavy burden on our public services.” Busuttil also points out that, unlike other countries such as Italy and Greece, these so-called ‘boat people’ are generally not moved on to mainland Europe once they arrive in Malta.

Born and raised on the island, Busuttil’s father and mother used to run a small business but, rather than following in their footsteps, he took up law at university. The youngest of three children, he took his master’s at Sussex University in the UK then, after returning to his homeland in the mid-90s, launched himself into EU affairs.

Then in 1996, the Socialists were voted into power and froze Malta’s bid to join the EU. “It was at this time,” he says, “that I decided to make a public contribution aimed at putting our application back on track. I just felt I had to do something.” In his role as a public relations expert, he soon became known as the ‘face’ of Malta’s efforts to join the EU club which, of course, eventually came to fruition in 2004.

Though he’d had no previous direct political experience, Busuttil was “pushed over the political cliff” when he was asked to stand for election to parliament a month after Malta’s accession.

He is now one of five Maltese MEPs (two EPP-ED members and three Socialists), a number which would rise to six under the stalled Lisbon treaty. He is pleased that his country’s initial Euroscepticism has been reversed, with opinion polls now showing that the EU institutions enjoy greater public trust than its national parliament.

“In the last four years, I think we Maltese members have shown that we make a contribution. When I first arrived here and looked at the huge number of MEPs, I wondered how such a tiny delegation could make a difference. But through sheer hard work we have earned respect, which in turn has given us confidence.”

As well as immigration, Busuttil has also made a name for himself by campaigning for the rights of EU citizens. As a member of the petitions committee, he has highlighted the so-called European city guide scam. This is one of a number of business directories which, he says, rely on misleading advertising to pin victims, often small businesses, into a three-year business directory listing against charges of up to €1000 a year.

Busuttil’s wife is half Irish and they have two children, Gregory, aged 11, and eight-year-old Zachary. As a Maltese deputy, his five-hour return flights to and from Brussels mean he has a lot further to travel to work than most other MEPs. But, as a fully committed Europhile, he is more than happy to tolerate such travel demands and is already looking forward to seeking re-election in 2009.