The government has received no request from Britain to station in Malta military assets it will be deploying in the Mediterranean to help fight the migration problem, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today.

Closing a special Parliamentary debate on the migration problem, Dr Muscat said the UK would be deploying the HMS Bulwark as well as two helicopters and a patrol boat.

Other countries would also be contributing.

The government, he said, had not received any formal or informal requests for these to be stationed here. Should such a request be made, it would be duly examined.

Replying to earlier questions by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, Dr Muscat said there was no agreement or compromise with Italy on Malta’s search and rescue area. Malta was never asked and was involved in any discussion on this, he said.

Dr Busuttil had asked whether there was agreement between Malta and Italy on the distribution of people and whether Malta still retained its full surveillance responsibilities over its whole search and rescue area which was as large as the whole UK territory.

Today's debate, which saw Parliament,which is in Easter recess until May 4, being recalled, was requested by both Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil.

During the debate they both expressed their concern at the rising migration problem but acknowledged that a step forward towards a solution was made during yesterday’s European summit, called by Malta and Italy to discuss the problem.

Photo: Jason Borg

The Prime Minister gave an overview of the summit meeting and the actions proposed to be taken.

He said that a clear signal had been given that Europe was ready to take action against the human trafficking racket and would be tripling Triton’s resources. Major efforts would be made to disrupt traffickers.

Making it clear that no one was advocating the invasion of Libya, Dr Muscat said the preferred option would be a  UN resolution but there were other avenues including sending an extremely strong signal to traffickers.

He referred to the summit to be held in Malta between European and African states and other key migration countries and said this would be an unprecedented occasion for Malta to again rise to the occasion bring together the leaders of 50 countries involved in the phenomenon.

Last weekend’s tragedy, he said, had started to change things in Europe and a first step was taken towards the consideration of setting up reception centres in safe countries training officials in these countries and helping frontier countries process asylum applications.

Dr Muscat referred to the interfaith ceremony held yesterday prior to the burial of 24 unknown victims and said he had insisted this should be a simple ceremony without any speeches from politicians.

“Europe saw us and the world admired us. I am proud to be Maltese,” he said.

Photo: Jason Borg

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil noted that the victims involved in these tragedies were people.

Last weekend’s tragedy, he said, had touched the Maltese and brought out their caring side in spite of the concern they still felt because of the migration problem.

He said he did not blame people for being sceptical for it was not the first time they heard talk about the problem and solutions and yet the tragedies continued.

Dr Busuttil noted that the reference in yesterday’s summit for solidarity between EU countries especially with frontier countries was too weak. No reference was made to obligatory solidarity.

The Opposition, Dr Busuttil said, felt there should be reference to long term measures.

“We support what has been said but we hope that words would be transformed into action.”

He welcomed the Prime Minister’s change of tune saying he was using more compassion and realising one did not obtain results with the “us and them” mentality.  “Europe is us,” Dr Busuttil said.

He reiterated the Opposition’s offer for consensus on the matter and hoped that it would be accepted and the two sides would work together on such a national, European issue of such concern to all humans.

Dr Busuttil said no one should expect the problem to be solved by a magic wand and the immediate aim should be to save people. “No one should drown just for seeking a better life,” he said.

A minute’s silence to remember the victims was observed at the start of the sitting.