Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today that Malta had made an important step forward on migration at the EU summit.
"We have not yet arrived where we want but it is a step forward," he said at a press conference.
He observed that illegal immigration was now to be considered as part of the security and defence policy of the EU..
The European Council had accepted 38 operational actions recommended by the task force for Mediterranean. This was a good step forward but now Malta wanted to see them implemented. A clear commitment to have an effective migrants return policy forms part of the 38-point plan.
The Council had also accepted the introduction of timeframes and the European Commission was handed a mandate to set those timelines.
Dr Muscat also pointed out that Malta was receiving more funds to deal with migration phenomenon. Malta will take €5 million and €3.7 million from two separate funds. These are in addition to the €10 million secured a couple of weeks ago.
The prime minister stressed that Malta wants joint return flights for the repatriation of migrants and the participation of EU to facilitate the issuance of identification papers for rejected asylum seekers.
Dr Muscat underlined the need to involve Libya in efforts to resolve the migration issue.
He noted that Italy is helping in the training of 300 Libyan border patrol guards while UK is training another 200. The legitimate concern is the need for certainty on who is being trained, he said. Malta will also be collaborating but details will be announced at a later stage.
Rounding up his view of the summit, Dr Muscat said he was not euphoric, but satisfied.
"The proof of the pudding will come in the summer when we start having immigrant crossings again. The issue has not been solved but we will be monitoring development."
"The progress we expected has been achieved but it is still far away from a final solution."
NOBODY RAISED CITIZENSHIP ISSUE
Dr Muscat said nobody had raised the citizenship issue with him. He hoped that a political solution would be found soon, adding that the government had shown good will and moved in its position.