Opmerkingen van voorzitter Donald Tusk na zijn ontmoeting met Joseph Muscat, premier van Malta

First, I would like to thank Prime Minister Muscat i for receiving me here in Valletta. It is great to be back in Malta. My last visit was in October 2009 but that was in my capacity as Polish Prime Minister.

This trip is important to me. As President of the European Council, my purpose is to build a strong and united European response to instability in the Mediterranean region. Only together can we tackle its root causes - like poverty and failing state structures. Only a united European Union can handle the consequences of the instability, like irregular migration and terrorism. This is why I decided to put these problems on the agenda of the European Council and discuss them with the EU leaders.

The willingness and commitment of all EU Prime Ministers and Presidents to help to end this human tragedy are very strong. What is less clear is how we can help. We need to think it over again. To come up with new, creative solutions. Not to stick to old ideas, proposals that will become being nothing more than illusions. That's why I'm here. To listen, to learn and to discuss what more the European Union can do in and for the Southern Neighbourhood.

Malta faces the symptoms of chaos in this region on a daily basis, especially when it comes to irregular migration. The European Union has a responsibility to help those in danger. And we do. However, most important for us is the security and stability of the Member States, such as Malta. We cannot open our doors to everyone and therefore, we have to act to prevent people from taking the decision to leave their homeland.

Another tragic consequence is terrorism. Terrorist groups are threatening the peoples of North Africa, and by extension the whole of Europe. Our internal and external security have never been so closely interconnected. The Prime Minister and I had a good exchange on how the European Union can further step-up our actions to counter the terrorist agenda - at home and abroad. This follows the discussion we had at the informal European Council in February, where all EU leaders agreed to an ambitious workplan for how to fight terrorism.

Just across the sea, the Libyan people are facing an increased terrorist threat, where the lack of a united government and state institutions leaves space for it to expand. As we agreed at the European Council only ten days ago, and again here today, the European Union must stand ready to help the Libyans in their transition. In this regard, we urge the Libyan parties to quickly come to an agreement on a government of national unity, and put in place a lasting ceasefire.

I am pleased that I had this opportunity to exchange thoughts with the Prime Minister, thank you Joseph. I will take this information with me on my visit to Tunisia and Spain tomorrow, and back to Brussels.