Fifty migrants repatriated

Four illegal immigrants will voluntarily return to their home countries today courtesy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs' project Dar. This was announced by the government last night in a statement entitled 70 Irregular Migrants Returning Back Home. In reality only four people will be flying home today.

The number 70, in fact, refers to the migrants repatriated under the scheme. The ministry had already repatriated 46 migrants to Ghana, Sudan, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Cameroon and Niger. And although the project's target is to repatriate 50 migrants, which would be reached with today's migrants, it was decided to send another 20 in January.

Brussels has recently allocated €5 million to Malta to be used towards repatriation schemes over the next five years.

It had earlier last month granted another €5 million to improve structures dealing with refugees and asylum seekers, including reception centres and support services.

Dr Borg said these funds will be used to promote sustainable voluntary return by offering tailor-made assistance, counselling and information and reintegration packages to returnees.

The funds will also be employed to perform forced-return operations of third-country nationals staying here illegally.

France has announced it will be relieving the island of 80 migrants next year.