French Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau will be in Malta later in the week to speak about the importance of building sound migration policies for Europe.

Ms Loiseau was invited by her Maltese counterpart, Helena Dalli, to address a citizens’ consultation meeting which will focus on migration. It will be held in St Paul’s Bay on Friday.

French Ambassador Brigitte Curmi said the topic was important for France and Malta since the two shared the same views on the importance of building a sound migration policy for Europe.

“Through continuous dialogue and concrete action, we believe that a truly European response to this challenge can be found. More broadly, France and Malta share the same views on what the Europe of tomorrow should be: democratic, close to its citizens, safe, fair and innovative,” Ms Curmi said.

She referred the ad hoc agreements put in place by some European states to respond to the urgent need of the migrants who were on board the Lifeline and Aquarius.

These agreements, which were the result of joint efforts by Malta, France and other European states, “were the best possible solution to these specific situations”.

“They showed that solidarity among Europeans is always the best way forward to fulfil our humanitarian duty in the fastest, most efficient and fair way for all parties involved,” she said.

“These agreements must now guide us to find, at the European level, permanent mechanisms to address the issue of migrations in a way that is, again, a demonstration that Europe bears the values of solidarity and responsibility and which ensures protection to those in need, while addressing the challenge of illegal migration,” Ms Curmi added.