The showdown between Malta and Italy over the Aquarius and its 629 migrants on board has opened a can of worms which was a long time coming. It is time to take this issue more seriously. Last week Godfrey Farrugia was interviewed by Rai Uno about the Democratic Party’s position on the matter. Malta and Italy abide by different interpretations of international law, and we do not have the formal bilateral treaties in place which are necessary to avoid this from happening again.

Malta’s interpretation of the SAR Convention does not take into consideration an amendment in 2004, which would make Malta responsible for migrants found in its search and rescue area. Instead, Malta’s interpretation is that migrants must be taken to the closest safe port, which is often Lampedusa, and therefore, Italy. Malta and Italy abide by different treaties, which is the sour point of contention which has come into play.

It is imperative that our MEPs and local politicians therefore push for a European solution as well as a bilateral understanding with Italy. The Democratic Party believes in burden sharing for genuine refugees across Europe, and the usage of European embassies in Sub-Saharan Africa to process refugee claims. Ideally, refugees are processed in Africa itself, which will avoid the dangers of sea crossing and the human trafficking which comes with it.

What is clear is that people are not bargaining chips. When lives are at risk, we must act quickly to provide the help which is necessary. Malta is a tiny country, however, and our carrying capacity is in question. What Malta needs is a population policy, but one which is blind to wherever people come from.

Adrian Delia spoke of a Latin and Catholic Malta, one which already excludes minorities such as the Maltese-Indians who have lived here for generations, some who I know myself. We can be a forward thinking Malta which opposes a population explosion, but we can do so without discrimination.