Maltese officers are currently in Rome discussing the possibility of Malta’s participation in the Frontex Joint Operation Triton, being hosted by Italy.

The life saving operation in the Mediterranean is due to start on November 1.

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia told a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg today that Frontex had to be given the financial resources that would allow it to perform the tasks entrusted to it.

He thanked Italy for the work carried out by Mare Nostrum over the past months and noted that the Maltese Armed Forces assisted these operations on a daily basis.

 “A year ago, we were sitting in this building shocked by the incident in which almost 400 people drowned a mile off Lampedusa and a few days later we were again shaken by another similar tragedy south of Malta and Lampedusa.

“We set up a task force to identify actions to be taken, which we did, and yet people continue to lose their lives in the Mediterranean. A year later and reports point to this year as among the worst in terms of the number of migrants who have lost their life at sea in search of a better life.

“Just recently, we had what is certainly among the worst incidents, with migrants who survived recounting how their boat was rammed by smugglers until it capsized and sent hundreds to their deaths, all while the smugglers watched unmoved.

“These incidents highlight the brutality of the criminal networks behind the migrant tragedy we are witnessing,” the minister said.

He noted that as unrest continued in the surrounding area, the number of people seeking protection continued to grow.

“Implementation of these actions which we have listed in the paper before us today need to be given utmost priority - we have to deal with it as a matter of urgency.”