The EU understood Malta's decision not to take part in Frontex operations although the changes the country had objected to were in its own interest, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström said yesterday.
Speaking before her departure after a whirlwind visit, Ms Malmstrom said she still believed the new rules of engagement for the EU's sea patrols were in Malta's interest. The country was very welcome to change its position whenever it wanted to.
The new Frontex guidelines meant that rescued migrants would have to be taken to the port of the country hosting the anti-migration mission rather than to the nearest safe port as had been the case for years. Malta objected to such change.
Ms Malmström addressed the media after a day of meetings and visits.
She met Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici as well as NGOs working among immigrants. She visited the Safi detention centre, the Marsa open centre and the Armed Forces of Malta's Search and Rescue Coordination Centre. She also had a look at the new premises that will house the European Asylum Support Office.
Ms Malmström explained that she had chosen to visit Malta to see first-hand what the situation was like with regard to illegal migration.
When asked, she said the trip had been planned a week after she was appointed some three months ago and denied that it was in any way related to the position Malta had taken on Frontex operations.
"We discussed the Commission's position and Malta's position and we respect each other's point of view. There are no hard feelings," she said.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici added that Malta had "retained its position".
She said that last year's pilot project with Malta, in which other countries took in some of its migrants, was very successful and she would now be looking to putting it on a permanent basis, encouraging more countries to participate.
Libya, she said, was an important partner in the issue and she had written to the Libyan Foreign Minister to see how the country could be re-engaged and give its long-term commitment to alleviate the burden of illegal migration. She admitted this was not easy but expressed hope that with Malta and Italy's contacts it might be possible "to open the door".
On the detention centres, which she visited at a time when they are practically devoid of illegal immigrants, Ms Malmström said Malta was doing its best to improve living conditions and promised to see how the EU could provide further help.