Azzjoni Nazzjonali said today that the Maltese government had finally decided to show some resolve on illegal immigration.

"The Cabinet’s decision to 'assist such persons to continue on their way without danger' is another vindication of AN’s policies outlined in its 10 point action plan on illegal immigration. These 10 points which included the proposal to escorting immigrants safely to outside our territorial waters were ironically ridiculed as ‘unfeasible’ and ‘extreme’ by the authorities themselves," AN said.

"It is also salient that this policy was also one of the few points that PL did not copy from AN. Despite the government's statements, Azzjoni Nazzjonali had retorted that it was only a matter of time before the government would have to eat its words and resort to such a measure. Circumstances have proved AN correct yet again as it also was when it had foretold that both Frontex and voluntary burden sharing would prove to be abject failures despite being hailed as a means of salvation by the government," the political party added.

"Whilst Azzjoni Nazzjonali will continue to support our authorities, whenever they show conviction and resolve to take the actions that are necessary to defend our country's sovereign rights, it believes that Malta and Italy, both of which are victims of a new form of colonization would be better served if they collaborated and adopted a common stand. Both countries have a common cause to pile the necessary pressure on other member states to institute EU repatriation agreements with third party countries and to amend the Dublin II convention. It is only in this fashion that both countries can eventually solve the problem of illegal immigration justly and humanely," it added.

It appealed for both governments put aside their greviances and work to put up a common front so that the problem can be addressed seriously to the benefit of both.