Fewer irregular migrants arrived in Malta this year when compared to the past four years , Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said today.

He also said there was this year the biggest number of relocations to third countries compared to the same period.

In a statement issued on the occasion of International Migrants Day, the minister said the government believed that people who arrived in Malta after escaping their country to save their life of that of their loved ones or to escape persecution should be assisted by all European countries.

Malta should also give the necessary assistance and treat these people with the respect and dignity they deserved.

While Malta should help migrants, it should also insist that all EU countries respected international laws and obligations. In the past year and a half, the government worked incessantly to ensure this.

Mr Carmelo Abela said he was already in talks with non-governmental organisations to collaborate in this sector and the next step was to draw up a national migration policy which would holistically encompass the work of all the different ministries in the sector.

This policy would have to ensure that Malta was safeguarded in every aspect while it remained committed not to detain children and families.

The minister had a special word of thanks for the Armed Forces of Malta and detention and open centre employees.

Number of migrants arriving through irregular boat crossings (as at 17/12/2014):

Year

2011

2012

2013

2014

No. of arrivals

1579

1890

2008

568

Number of beneficiaries of protection resettled/relocated to other (developed) countries (as at 17/12/2014):

YEAR

TOTAL

2011

344

2012

420

2013

428

2014

579

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