Frontex Plus should be based on defined and realistic regulations while the European Union should focus on long term solutions involving all member states, MEP Miriam Dalli said.

She was speaking in view of the arrival of 257 migrants saved by the Armed Forces of Malta in the last hours and following the European Commission’s announcement that it was expected to launch Frontex Plus.

Dr Dalli said that while it was positive that Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom had bound herself to make a personal effort to convince member states to join the initiative, all member states to take part.

She said that Frontex Plus should have realistic regulations and the initiative should work on the Mare Nostrum model, operated by Italy in the past months.

Dr Dalli said the European Commission had accepted the fact that it was not fair for one country to carry the responsibility for saving migrants.

It should now also ensure there was a fair distribution of responsibility when immigrants entered Europe and not that, a few countries, including Malta, shouldered the responsibility on their own.