. European
Union offered more than £1 billion in aid to African counterparts
. In return,
Africa would have to take back thousands of illegal immigrants
. David Cameron
says £200 million of UK aid money will be used to tackle crisis
. But the controversial deal was rejected at a
summit in Valletta, Malta
By John Stevens in Malta for the Daily Mail
(published 1005, 12 November 2015; updated: 1251, 12 November 2015)
The European Union has been forced to drop controversial plans to deport
failed asylum seekers who do not have passports after African countries blocked
the move. European leaders offered more than £1 billion aid in a bid to
persuade their African counterparts to take back tens of thousands of illegal
migrants. But a migration summit in Valletta, Malta, descended into farce after
the Africans rejected the EU plan to expel those who do not qualify for asylum
using special papers.
(Leaders from a number
of African nations were present at the conference to discuss migration with
their European counterparts. Pictured left to right are Ghana’s President John
Dramani Mahama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois
Hollande)
(British Prime Minister David Cameron posed
for a “family picture” with others EU and African Prime Ministers, to mark the
start of the summit)
The “laissez passer” travel documents issued to Africans without identification are aimed at easing their return back to countries they left or travelled through.
The “laissez passer” travel documents issued to Africans without identification are aimed at easing their return back to countries they left or travelled through.
Under the proposal, EU countries
would decide where a person without a passport has come from in Africa and
issue the papers in lieu of a passport.
Many people arrive in Europe without identity papers with some falsely claiming to be Syrians or Iraqis in order to increase their chances of being granted asylum.
Draft conclusions for the summit of EU and African leaders written earlier this week showed it was planned they would agree to “enhance recognition of the EU laissez passer for return purpose”.
Twitter @HerbertEkweEkwe
Many people arrive in Europe without identity papers with some falsely claiming to be Syrians or Iraqis in order to increase their chances of being granted asylum.
Draft conclusions for the summit of EU and African leaders written earlier this week showed it was planned they would agree to “enhance recognition of the EU laissez passer for return purpose”.
Twitter @HerbertEkweEkwe
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