In conformity with international law, the European Union does not allow pushbacks, thus encouraging immigrants to risk their lives during their perilous crossing to the Northern Mediterranean shores.

This is tantamount to sending a suicidal note to these unfortunate people: “Risk your lives and if you manage to survive we welcome you.”

This ominous message is more evident now that Mare Nostrum has been replaced by a less humane organisation.

The only possible solution, albeit its inherent difficulties, is for Europe, with the compliance of the North African states, to establish quotas and set up immigration offices with residential reception centres on the North African littoral.

Those eligible are then ferried free to any Mediterranean country of their choice where they are issued with a temporary visa allowing them to travel anywhere in Europe.

This visa has to be endorsed every five years. I would like to stress that the prohibition of push-backs entices more people to take the great risk and should be abolished. Countries within the European zone sharing land frontiers with non-European countries devise all measures to secure their borders.

In my opinion this is a form of acceptable push-back that discourages any illegal entry.