Malta was under unbearable pressure because of the complacency of some European member states in addressing the migration problem, Claude Moraes, chairman of the European Parliament’s civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee said yesterday.

European leaders have been accused of closing their eyes to the deaths of thousands of migrants in the Mediterranean as the UN said that as many as 900 people could have drowned when a small fishing boat capsized to the south of the Italian island of Lampedusa on Saturday night.

“I am very much in agreement with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s stand but I will go further and say that a small country like Malta has been under unbearable pressure as a result of the complacency and almost deliberate intent of some big member states to abandon Mare Nostrum,” Mr Moraes told Times of Malta.

The Mare Nostrum search and rescue operation run by the Italian government saved more than 140,000 people last year at a cost of €9 million per month. It was halted in October when EU governments failed to support the mission and was replaced by Triton with a budget of €3 million. Its main aim is border control not saving lives at sea.

Mr Moraes said the European Council was “culpable” and he hoped for “a sane policy” on search and rescue operations but expressed concern that big member states would not take sufficient action.

“My real and genuine concern is that, despite the talk, from Malta’s viewpoint, we have been here before. I understand Malta’s situation and it really amazes me that Europe has left Malta in this position,” he added.

During an EU emergency meeting of foreign and homes affairs ministers, chaired by European Commission vice president, Federica Mogherini, yesterday, a 10-point plan of immediate action to be taken in response to the crisis situation in the Mediterranean was drawn up (see box).

Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola welcomed the plan as a good step forward but said she had hoped to see a bigger emphasis on search and rescue obligations.

“We have long been calling for emergency relocation of beneficiaries of international protection and for increased assets to be deployed to the Mediterranean, so I am pleased that these options have been given due consideration.

“It is also positive that Frontex will extend in scope and operational area. This is necessary to save lives and combat human trafficking, even if some had called for a greater emphasis on search and rescue obligations,” she said.

Dr Metsola was particularly pleased with the reference to EU anti-piracy operation Atalanta. She had suggested the redeployment of assets assigned to the mission for the Mediterranean. The agreement did not go that far but it did acknowledge the successful model.

“I hope now prime ministers will also reach agreement at their summit later this week and hope that, finally, these words will translate into concrete action with firm timelines and commitments from every EU prime minister,” she added.

Manfred Weber, chairman of the European People’s Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, said that migration was the biggest challenge for the EU in the coming years.

“This is a long-term challenge, not just an emergency situation. Problems in neighbouring countries will not last for only a few months,” he warned.

The political group is discussing a position paper ahead of the European Council meeting on Thursday. Discussions continue today.

Over 20,000 migrants have tried to reach Europe so far this year as the situation in countries like Syria and Libya continues to deteriorate. Italy was yesterday busy saving another 500 people on a boat in the Mediterranean, EPP vice chairwoman Lara Comi said.

What should be done

• Increase the resources of Frontex operations.

• A systematic effort to capture and destroy vessels used by smugglers.

• Gathering information on smugglers’ operations, trace their funds and assist in their investigation.

• EASO to deploy teams in Italy and Greece for joint processing of asylum applications.

• Member states to ensure fingerprinting of all migrants.

• Consider options for an emergency relocation mechanism.

• An EU-wide voluntary pilot project on resettlement.

• Establish a new programme for the rapid return of irregular migrants from frontline member states coordinated by Frontex.

• Engagement with countries surrounding Libya; initiatives in Niger to be stepped up.

• Deploy immigration liaison officers in key third countries to gather intelligence on migratory flows and strengthen the role of EU delegations.