Malta, Holland, discuss illegal migration

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo discussed illegal immigration and renewable energy with Dutch European Afairs Minister Frans Timmermans this morning. Mr Timmermans was in Malta for the euro adoption celebrations.

The Foreign Ministry said Dr Frendo thanked the Netherlands for having accepted to resettle some refugees from Malta. He explained the Maltese proposal for burden-sharing particularly with regard to persons saved from the Search and Rescue Area of a neighbouring non-EU state. Both ministers agreed on the importance of a European Common Asylum policy.

The two ministers also discussed the EU-Arab League foreign ministers’ meeting, due to be held next month, which is expected to focus on climate change, energy security, inter-cultural dialogue and reform.

Dr Frendo accepted Mr Timmermans invitation for Maltese energy experts to visit the Netherlands to explore how Malta could exploit renewable energy developments.