Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening that illegal immigration was a major concern for Malta and Greece and the fight against this phenomenon was also a fight against international organised crime and against loss of life in the Mediterranean sea.

Speaking at a dinner in honour of Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, he said that Malta has registered a 50 per cent increase in immigrant arrivals compared to last year.

“In this respect, Frontex patrols are not only useful but need to be extended in scope and area, thus acting as a deterrent for would-be smugglers of human beings”

Malta, Dr Gonzi said, appreciated the support of Greece for a burden-sharing mechanism to be introduced in the area of illegal immigration to assist countries that, like Malta, faced disproportionate pressures on their asylum systems.

He said that the re-allocation system recently agreed to as part of the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum was one tangible example of such burden sharing.

Mr Karamanlis agreed that illegal migration was a problem of great scale and importance saying it directly afflicted both Malta and Greece countries and also involved and affected the whole of the European Union.

“European solidarity, therefore is crucial on this matter, since no country alone has the means to address this phenomenon, whereas it is a common European concern.”

Greece, Mr Karamanlis said, supported the European Pact on Migration and Asylum and believed that it was a significant step toward defining common European standards and towards European solidarity in this field.

“In the same direction, the reinforcement of the operational role of Frontex is of crucial importance. Additionally, the creation of a European Coastguard would contribute to facing current difficulties more effectively,” he said.