Italian President Sergio Mattarella and President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said this afternoon they look forward to November's summit in Malta which will be bringing together all countries involved in the migration crisis.

President Mattarella, who is in Malta on a short state visit, said the migration crisis was the biggest issue on Malta and Italy's common agenda.

The two Presidents addressed the media following talks at San Anton Palace.

President Mattarella later also had talks with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat at the Auberge de Castille.

They discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the Mediterranean and the latest developments in Europe.

In comments to the press, they acknowledged that the EU’s migrant burden sharing efforts were a positive sign.

Mr Mattarella said he hoped the EU would step up its efforts to see migrants shared more evenly across Member States.

Dr Muscat thanked Mr Mattarella for “helping Italy become a leader” when it came to saving migrant lives at sea.

President Mattarella was welcomed at the airport by by Foreign Minister George Vella. He also met Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and will visit Parliament and St John's Co-Cathedral.

He leaves in the early evening.