Nearly all people who arrived irregularly by sea in Malta last year applied for asylum and some 60 percent were recognised as being in need of international protection, the UNHCR said.

This, it said, showed that the Mediterranean Sea was an “asylum route” for many people fleeing violence and persecution.

The UNHCR said that available data showed many boat arrivals were persons originating from Somalia and Eritrea.

It said that the problem of “irregular migrants arriving by sea” was due to be discussed on Tuesday during a meeting between the Home Affairs Ministers of Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Malta. The issue may also be raised during an informal meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Prague on Thursday.

The UNHCR appealed to the EU member states to ensure that people seeking asylum had access to territory and to fair procedures for examining their claims.

It said that out of a total estimated figure of more than 67,000 people crossing to Europe by sea last year, some 38,000 persons arrived in Italy and Malta alone, mostly after transiting through Libya.

The vast majority applied for asylum, and more than half of those claiming asylum were found to be in need of international protection. With few opportunities to enter the EU by regular means, thousands of people threatened by persecution and serious human rights violations in their home countries had no choice but to take the dangerous sea route.

This highlighted the vital need to ensure that state agreements and measures to tighten borders did not block access to safety for those seeking protection in the EU, it said.

The UNHCR said it appreciated the efforts made by states along the Mediterranean to rescue people in distress at sea.

“We also recognise that boat arrivals put significant strains on the resources of those countries. People seeking asylum must nevertheless be allowed to disembark in a safe place, where they can receive information about their rights and have a genuine opportunity to file an asylum application which will be considered in a fair procedure.

“Sending refugees back to countries where they cannot enjoy effective protection could violate member states’ international obligations.”