The bishops of Malta and Gozo expressed their gratitude at the commitment shown by the leaders of the European Union and African countries to develop concrete solutions for the migration phenomenon.

In a joint statement issued on the occasion of the Valletta Summit on Migration, the bishops recalled Malta’s “noble mission” to provide a space where both exclusive national interests and the differences between Europe and Africa were put aside.

They expressed their hope that the values of hospitality and responsibility would guide the leaders’ efforts to ensure the respect of every person’s dignity and fundamental rights, particularly those of the weakest victims of violence, injustice and poverty.

The Christian community, aware that all persons shared a common origin and belonging, participated in all the efforts aimed at shaping a better world where wealth was within everybody’s reach, said the bishops.