Malta and Italy today stressed that the pressing migration crisis across various parts of Europe had again shown the urgent need to tackle this issue through a global approach and show its humane aspect.

Addressing a joint press conference in Florence with his Maltese counterpart, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said Europe was not only about economics and figures.

“Europe has to show its human face, which at times was lacking, judging from the response of other leaders,” the Italian Prime Minister said.

“There is no alternative but to save the lives of those trying to cross the Mediterranean,” he added.

The Italian PM noted that a lot of European leaders had been “moved” by the grim images of this crisis, but very few of them have actually taken action.

He cautioned against anybody who could promise an overnight solution for this crisis.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the issue of migration was no longer limited to the Mediterranean region but had spread throughout the European continent.

“We need a European solution,” he stressed.

Dr Muscat stressed that the EU had to support African countries from where thousands of people fleeing to seek a better life in Europe. However, there had to be a solution for those African countries which did not want to collaborate on legal issues and matters related to democracy.

The Maltese Prime Minister also called on the European Commission to draft a blue print for a long-term strategy on migration.

He said the Juncker Commission had led to positive developments on this front, but declined to give details.

“History will judge us, maybe in 20 years time once the situation stabilises itself. I think we are taking an ultra-sensible position,” Dr Muscat said.

The press conference took place shortly after the right-wing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged refugees not to come to Europe.