Malta always adheres to international obligations in SAR operations - ministry
File photo
Malta has always adhered to its duties and international obligations when co-ordinating search and rescue operations in its Search and Rescue Area, the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry said it took note of comments by the Italian Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini, as reported in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
Had Mr Frattini's comments been factual, the Armed Forces of Malta would not have rescued 1,530 people since the Libyan crisis started, including a group of 76 persons who escaped from Misurata on a fishing trawler last week, it said.
The ministry reiterated that it serenely awaited any communication from the Italian or other relevant authorities to prove the above by answering in full and stating the facts.
Mr Frattini said in an interview with Corriere that Italy had to report Malta as it was not doing its part to save the lives of hundreds of immigrants crossing its vast search and rescue area.
“We had to report Malta as in many instances the Maltese authorities are just looking at the problem and not giving any help when immigrants are in Malta’s SAR waters,” Mr Frattini charged.
Insisting Italy was prepared to do all it could to save lives, Mr Frattini said the Italian government had ordered its rescue services to intervene and save lives in all circumstances, even in faraway seas and in areas which were not directly in its responsibility.
Malta and Italy have been at loggerheads in the past years over the interpretation of international maritime rules connected with SAR operations.
While Malta maintains it is only responsible for coordinating search and rescue missions in its vast area – which spreads across the Mediterranean from Crete to just a few kilometres from Lampedusa – Italy contests this and says the island is responsible for taking all immigrants rescued in its SAR region.
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M. Grech
Jun 8th 2011, 07:43
Two main points. The SAR area co-ordinator's duty is to monitor and co-ordinate search and rescue activities in its area of responsibility. And the other point is that ALL countires (and ships) and everyone is under obligation to render assistance to persons in distress with the onus falling mostly on those cloests to the distress position.
Other issues as to why refugees and illigal immigrants head for Lampedusa is that the island is closer to N. Africa, especially to the current departure points along the Libyan/Tunisian boarder, apart from another added advatange for the immigrants that their destination is Europe, and once in Lampedusa they can consider themselves having reach as far north as the swiss border. They would be in Italy already. Malta is not so attracvtive to the immigrants for obvious reasons. So please Mr Frattini stop this bullying with silly arguements as if Italian politicians knows best.
Mr Charles.C. Brown
Jun 7th 2011, 22:21
does Franco Frattini knows that the thousands of illigal immigants we have in malta they que up each day outside the nationality and emmigation department in castille hoping to get a visa to go to italy. does he vknow that they cant wait to go to italy! does he know that many of these emmigants are suffering sever deppression becouse they are being stuck in malta and cannot go to italy. the only humain thing that italy should do if italy really care about human rights is to accept these unfortunite and take them in before they go completly mad. Is it human to keep a person in a land against his will. The only cure for these people is italy!!!
Mr twanny borg
Jun 7th 2011, 19:37
how arrogant mr. frattini can be pretending malta a small island takes many illegal immigrants when it should be italy who dominated libya to take all immigrants. anyway they have a way how to get rid of them by giving them a six months residence permits. italy refused to assist saved immigrants by refusing to allow them to enter lampedusa where the maltese boat was nearer than malta. shame on italy.
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Jun 7th 2011, 18:46
The message is clear from the minister.
Come in thousands and we will still keep you here.
Mr Jo Camm
Jun 7th 2011, 21:04
Mr Seychell, did you read what the Minister actually said before commenting??
Mr Jimmie Rowe
Jun 7th 2011, 22:14
Yes but then actions speaks louder then words Pal.