Comments made by a former Italian Prime Minister about the way Malta shirked its irregular migration responsibilities were “misleading” and not supported by facts, the government said yesterday.

Malta has always met its obligations in carrying out search and rescue operations

The Home Affairs Ministry was reacting to a Euronews interview with the president of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, Massimo D’Alema, where he touched upon the need for a holistic European migration policy.

Mr D’Alema, now an MP with the Partito Democratico, said: “I think we should have a European policy of immigration and right now we do not have that but if we’re talking about Italy, look at Malta! They have never had one. When there is a boat, the only thing they do is point the way to Italy.”

The ministry rejected the claims and said Malta could show facts to the contrary, which are acknowledged by the UNHCR and Eurostat.

“Malta has always met its international obligations in carrying out search and rescue operations to the full since before the migratory flow from Libya towards Europe started in 2002, saving thousands of immigrants from certain death on the high seas in the process.”

Between 2002 and today, the Armed Forces of Malta saved 14,824 people from 372 boats. Since its inception, the Office of the Refugee Commissioner has processed in excess of 13,000 applications for asylum, the vast majority of which came from people who were rescued by the AFM.

“It is also worth underscoring that due to its size, Malta has the highest rate of asylum applications per capita in Europe. Naturally, this rate far exceeds Italy’s,” the ministry said.

Malta and Italy have often clashed over assuming responsibility for African migrants rescued at sea.