European Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom will be visiting the European Asylum Support Office headquarters in Malta on Thursday.

The office works to enhance practical cooperation on asylum matters and help member states fulfil their European and international obligations to give protection to people in need.

It acts as a centre of expertise on asylum and provides support to member states whose asylum and reception systems are under particular pressure.

Ms Malmstrom said some days ago the European Commission is to launch an EU version of Italy’s sea rescue operation Mare Nostrum to help it deal with the droves of migrants crossing the Mediterranean in crowded boats from North Africa.

Frontex will take over the new operation, dubbed “Frontex Plus” to complement what Italy has been doing.

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