A new office to be run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is expected to lead to "enhanced stability" in Malta's struggle with illegal migration.

Through the office, immigrants will be given the option to return to their home country and be assisted to do so. Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo and IOM director general Brunson McKinley signed a cooperation agreement yesterday, which includes the opening of a new office here as early as next month.

As the world marked International Migrants' Day yesterday, the subject of immigration was high on the authorities' agenda, with a full-day conference at the Le Meridien Phoenicia in Floriana focusing on Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR).

Operating in 118 countries, the IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. Speaking to reporters after a ceremony at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Valletta, Mr McKinley said the agreement would enable Malta to tackle better the challenges posed by illegal migration.

Dr Frendo said the agreement would provide the island with the know-how in areas of immigration, such as AVR.

Funded by the European Refugee Fund and co-funded by the Home Affairs Ministry and the IOM, AVR gives immigrants the choice and assistance to return to their home country, together with a fiscal incentive and travelling costs.

In the last 10 years, around 740,000 migrants have received IOM's AVR assistance in over 160 countries. Only one immigrant, a Somali, took advantage of the pilot AVR initiative tested recently in Malta, though there have been several requests and others could follow suit.