Malta this morning held strong to its position against an EU proposal to give long-term residence rights to refugees and beneficiaries of international protection.
During a Council of Ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Malta, represented by Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, insisted that granting long term residence rights to persons who had been given international protection could only continue to put pressure on Malta’s capacity and resources.
Malta, the minister pointed out, was already experiencing considerable difficulties due to its dense population and the large number of arrivals of illegal immigrants.
The meeting also condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and discussed measures that could be put in place to help victims.