In an open letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, the Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés called on the Europe Union to urgently resolve the situation faced by migrants who are ‘forgotten at the gates of Europe’ , and to show courage by launching a public debate on the role of borders within a globalised world. 

The letter was submitted on the eve of an informal meeting of EU heads of state or government in Malta held on Friday 3 February that was destined to address the issue of migrants to Europe. 

Citing the more than 5,000 migrants the United Nations estimates died in 2016, the letter said that Europe must move forward on a genuine common asylum and migration policy with harmonisation of European asylum systems an essential priority.  

In addition, ASTI suggested that Europe’s changing European demographics mean that the EU needs to reconsider its position on economic migration, as economic development and social dynamism depend on the manpower that an ageing, dwindling population is losing. 

“We need to reflect on innovative solutions, because the old answers have simply led to the deaths of thousands of people and an explosion in withdrawals,” said the letter, signed by ASTI President, Laura Zuccoli, and spokesperson, Sérgio Ferreira. 

In a separate statement made during the Summit on Friday afternoon, President of the European Council, Donald Tusk said that immediate operational measures had been agreed on, including training, equipping and supporting the Libyan Coastguard in order to stop people smugglers and increase search and rescue operations. 

ASTI's letter to Juncker cited President Tusk's own remarks in a letter on the future of the European Union addressed to the participants at Friday's informal meeting, where he said, "United we stand, divided we will fall".

"For us the victory or failure in building a common future passes by the way we treat other," said ASTI in response.