Accusations by Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Franco Frattini that Malta was just a “spectator” in the exodus of immigrants from Libya led the government to again defend its record on the rescue of boat people.
The Justice and Home Affairs Ministry said on Tuesday that if what Mr Frattini said was the case, then, the Armed Forces of Malta would not have rescued 1,530 people since the Libyan crisis started, including a group of 76 who escaped from Misurata on a fishing trawler last week.
Malta and Italy have been at loggerheads for years over the interpretation of international maritime rules applicable in search and rescue operations. Only last week, Italian Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni accused Malta of washing its hands of a boat in distress carrying more than 200 migrants abroad, a charge Malta vehemently denied.
The Italian Coordinating Committee of Consumer Associations (Codacons), a leading NGO in that country, has filed reports on the matter to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
Italy has also reported Malta to the European Commission, which said it was ready to mediate between the two countries.
In the latest incident, Mr Frattini was reported saying in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that Malta was not doing its part to save the lives of hundreds of migrants crossing its vast SAR area.
The Justice and Home Affairs Ministry said it took note of the comments but reiterated Malta had always adhered to its duties and international obligations when coordinating operations in its SAR area.
It said it “serenely” awaited any communication from Mr Frattini or other relevant authorities to prove their case and it would answer in full and state the facts.