It is high time that Europe stands up to be counted. I say this on many seemingly disparate, yet inter-connected fronts. For too long now have the northern neighbours of our Union stuck their nose up at what goes on in the Mediterranean. Northern European states have consistently swept Euro-Mediterranean concerns under the proverbial carpet.

Compare the European Union’s response to the humanitarian tragedy that is happening in the Mediterranean – human trafficking with all its consequences and the rise of extremism in our neighbouring countries – and the reaction to the civil war in the Ukraine,for instance.

Whereas there can be no doubt that the Ukrainian conflict has brought about suffering and loss of life, surely one can say the same for what’s happening in the Mediterranean. As I have stated in the European Parliament, yes the situation in Ukraine requires attention but so does the situation in the Mediterranean.

I would genuinely like to know what gauge certain European leaders use when deciding where to invest their diplomatic efforts and energies. Is it based on geographic proximity? Is it decided on economic grounds?

The latest atrocities have shown that rather than slaying the beast, European nations have, through Gaddafi’s removal, simply cut off one of the Hydra’s nine heads

Whatever the case, it is high time that intentions are made clear so that we can ensure transparency and consistency, particularly in European foreign affairs, to all our citizens. Unfortunately, consistency is not something that flows forth from some of our European partners.

When deciding to depose Muammar Gaddafi, many European powers jumped at the opportunity to sabre rattle and help deliver the Libyan people from the ruling dictator.

Whereas the moral reasoning may,on the surface of it, seem to be sound – the reality on the ground was verydifferent. While high-tech fighter jetsand attack-helicopters pounded Gaddafi loyalists, the world stood aside and naively applauded.

It did not take a foreign policy guru to predict that a post-Gaddafi Libya would descend into chaos before it transformed into a gravy train of oil and infrastructure reconstruction contracts. Certain European leaders were undoubtedly licking their lips at such commercial prospects while bolstering their ‘action man’ image to boost their election chances.

Today, we are faced with the destruction and desolation left over by short-sighted – or total lack of – planning for the post-Gaddafi Libya. When I say we, it is mainly Italy and Malta who are facing an increase in human trafficking and now the amplified threat of ISIS on the shores of the southern Mediterranean.

It is therefore not only surprising but also utterly repulsive that commentators in the local press accuse Prime Minister Joseph Muscat of asking others to fight our war.

It is amply clear: it wasn’t our war in the first place! Isn’t it logical that those who started the fight make sure they end it and end it in a manner that does not leave more destruction then it was intended to address in the first place? That they end it in a manner that ensures stability for the Mediterranean region and all Europeans?

It must also be ended so that the millions of innocent civilians in Libya, who were duped into believing in a new beginning by the coalition members, are given the right to live peacefully and prosperously. Isn’t this what they wanted in the first place?

What is also logical is that the same sense of urgency shown to problems elsewhere in Europe, such as in Ukraine and Greece, is also shown for the southern Mediterranean region.

A European-wide diplomatic task force should be set up sooner rather than later to ensure that all possible avenues are explored, all potential situations covered and plans put in place to counter conceivable scenarios.

We need to put into place preventative measures that will ensure the current situation does not get worse and will, with proper planning and commitment, start to improve.

It is clear that the latest atrocities have shown that rather than slaying the beast, European nations have, through Gaddafi’s removal, simply cut off one of the Hydra’s nine heads. They are now surprised, if not completely baffled, that many and uglier heads have sprouted up in its stead.

It is in this scenario that we expect that the European Union walks its talk and puts solidarity into practice. Something for which we have been calling for far too long now.

Malta, for obvious reasons, cannot be expected to take on the Herculean task of combating irregular immigration and increased ISIS activity in Libya on its own – for even Hercules needed his nephew Iolaus, and a plan, to help him slay the Hydra.

Miriam Dalli is a Labour member of the Euopean Parliament.