There is "space" for the integration of migrants but Malta's small labour market and territory create limitations, according to Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia.

He said integration was conditioned by economic and geophysical factors and this was why the Government wanted the EU to do more in migrant relocation.

Dr Mallia was delivering the opening address this morning at a day seminar on asylum procedures and integration organised by the Refugee Commissioner.

The Government had agreed with the common European asylum system adopted last week by the European Parliament, he added, but for this to be beneficial it had to ensure asylum seekers had the opportunity to integrate in the respective communities.

"This cannot be achieved if some member states face disproportionate pressures... This is why we want more assistance from our EU partners," he said.

He cited the small labour market, the limited land space and population density as problematic for widespread integration of migrants.

Dr Mallia said state agencies were committed to help migrants integrate but success also depended on the the individual's willingness. "While integration presumes the migrant retains his ethnic and cultural background, it also means the acceptance of the host country's values."

Giving a breakdown of figures, Refugee Commissioner Mario Friggieri said his office received 2,116 applications for international protection last year.

Of these 1,805 were lodged by boat people. The highest number of applicants were Somalis and Eritreans, followed by Syrians.

Since the start of the year 311 migrants on six boats made it to Malta, with the largest group arriving in March. The vast majority were men and the largest ethnic group was Somali. There were also 71 minors, a majority of them unaccompanied.

Mr Farrugia said Malta had one of the highest arrivals of asylum seekers when compared to the EU average. It also had the highest positive acceptance rate for protection as a result of the high number of Somalis, Syrians and Eritreans, who have to be given some form of status according to the UN.

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