Europe should provide a beefed up search and rescue operation at once if migrant deaths are to be reduced, speakers on this evening’s edition of Times Talk agreed.

MEPs Miriam Dalli and Roberta Metsola and human rights lawyer Neil Falzon said a replacement for Italy’s rescue mission Mare Nostrum needed to be introduced at once before other long-term solutions are mapped out.

The three were also critical of the Joint Foreign and Home Affairs Council’s 10-point plan on migration in reaction to the estimated 1,750 migrants who have died in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year.

There were, however, divergences over the issues which should be prioritised to tackle the major crisis.

Presented by Times of Malta’s head of media Herman Grech and chief reporter Mark Micallef, Times Talk is available on demand by clicking the link above.

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