The Labour Party said today that the arrival of some 160 migrants in Malta last night showed how this problem was continuing to persist.

In a statement, Michael Falzon, shadow minister for home affairs, said that while Malta had to observe its international obligations, one could not deny that illegal immigration was a challenge and a burden on the country.

Recent studies had shown that not only did Malta have the highest per capita rate of immigrant arrivals, but the Maltese were the most worried people about immigration in the EU.

Malta also had one of the highest rates of protection to illegal immigrants.

Dr Falzon said that the government should remain prepared to tackle this issue and it needed to be more active in European and international fora in the interests of the country.

He noted that for several months now, Malta was without a minister responsible to handle illegal immigration, a situation which reflected the poor state of the government.