Somali Foreign Affairs Minister Abdusalam Omer thanked Malta and Italy today for having, "without fanfare" saved the lives of Somali migrants escaping extremism and economic problems.

He was speaking at the Doha Forum which is being attended by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. The Forum is discussing the political situation, trade and development in the Middle East, the Arab countries and the world. 

The Somali minister said the young in his country were facing a situation of hopelessness. The government was working tirelessly to solve the problem, but "it's like we're trying to fly and fix a plane, but at the same time we're running out of fuel and trying to land," he said. 

Abdusalam H. Omer

Dr Muscat said the EU's plan to tackle migration and save lives is the most ambitious proposal to date but one should not raise expectations.

"I think the real positive thing is that for the first time we're discussing concrete solutions rather than just platitudes."  

The draft plan includes a mandatory migrant quota system among member states. Details of the operation are still being worked out and the issue will be discussed by European foreign ministers on Monday.  

Dr Muscat said he was not discouraged by the fact that some countries were against the proposed quotas. Migration was a thorny issue in every country, he said.

"While there are countries vehemently against, there are also those rooting for it and not just the usual suspects - the Italians or ourselves. This time there's Germany and I believe even the French attitude is moderately positive," he said. 

"There isn't one solution. Saving lives. Is it enough? No it isn't. The destruction of smugglers' boats will have an impact; annihilating supply hurts the criminals. It's not a solution on its own, and neither are life-saving rescue missions, but it's the most ambitious plan ever tabled for discussion," he said.