Portugal to take refugees

Portugal will take a small group of refugees living in Malta as a "sign of solidarity" with the island.

Speaking during a reception marking his country's national day and as Portugal is about to head the EU presidency, the Portuguese Ambassador to Malta Antonio Russo Dias said his country recognises the impact of illegal immigration on Malta.

When contacted, Neil Falzon, head of the UN Refugee Agency in Malta, said Portugal will be taking between eight and 15 refugees, probably from the same family units.

A number of other EU states, from Ireland to the Netherlands to Lithuania, have responded to Malta's call for responsibility sharing, but the government has called for greater solidarity in this respect.