Recognition of Malta's illegal migration problem welcomed

The statement by the European Commission president's head of Cabinet that EU member states needed to show concrete solidarity with Malta because the illegal migration problem had to be seen to urgently was welcomed by PN MEP candidate Edward Demicoli.

In a statement, Mr Demicoli said he believed that Malta’s membership in the European Union was part of the solution and the more time passed, the more everyone was realising that the illegal migration problem being faced by Malta was also Europe's problem.

The Frontex patrols and the expertise to help Malta deal with the problem, the active engagement on the external front with countries of origin and transit and the implementation of the principle of solidarity were all part of the solution.

Mr Demicoli said the Nationalist government had shown once again that in times of challenges it stood strong and took the right decisions. It used persuasion to convince the various interested stakeholders about the challenges the country was facing.

The present administration, he said, did not shy away from standing for its rights alongside Italy.