Countries in the 5+5 including Malta have agreed on the need for a global action plan to solve the irregular migration problem.

Meeting in Portugal, the countries praised Malta, which is going to hold the eighth meeting on immigration before the end of the year.

Foreign Minister George Vella insisted on the need for cooperation with countries such as Malta and said the challenge had to be addressed from  humanitarian and security levels.

The countries present for the meeting expressed satisfaction that the Institute of Justice and Rule of Law was being set up in Vittoriosa in June.

The conference also decided to hold a meeting to debate the Libya problem. This will be held in Tunisia next month. Dr Vella said Malta was concretely helping Libya through educational projects, capacity building and technical expertise.