Germany agreed to take 100 North African immigrants, awaiting resettlement in Malta, in line with the country’s “policy of solidarity”, Ambassador Bernd Braun confirmed.

A delegation is expected to visit Malta, probably next week, to iron out the details.

The decision was taken after German Home Affairs Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich reached an agreement with his Maltese counterpart Carm Mifsud Bonnici.

The Home Affairs Ministry confirmed the news, which was first reported by the newswire DPA. The agency reported Mr Friedrich saying his country would be hosting the migrants.

Mr Friedrich said the details would be negotiated with Malta and the German states that would provide homes for the refugees. Germany had already taken 100 Africans from Malta in October.

Over the past weeks, EU solidarity and burden sharing has been a topical debate as hundreds of migrants travelling by boat landed in Malta and the Italian island of Lampedusa.

Last week, 815 migrants arrived in Malta and another 151 were landed yesterday morning.

Thousands have travelled to Lampedusa.

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