Malta must be more active in European forums dealing with illegal immigration, Labour’s spokesman on home affairs, Michael Falzon, said yesterday.

Dr Falzon said the arrival of 246 migrants last Friday showed how immigration remained a “real problem” for the country.

He expressed concern that just four per cent of refugees were transferred to other European countries, adding voluntary burden sharing had been a failure.

In reaction, the PN said it was proud the armed forces had saved 250 lives and, in such circumstances, it did not complain about the burden of immigration.

Dr Falzon showed a Labour hallmark, the PN said, by trying to take advantage of an issue to score political goals.

The PN’s position on immigration was that all EU countries had to do their bit but the priority was still saving people’s lives.