Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia said today that Task Force Mediterranean had identified more than 30 specific proposals following an unprecedented exercise that brought together all EU states, associated countries, the European External Action Service, EU agencies, UN organisations and other stakeholders.

Addressing EU Home Affairs Ministers in Brussels, he said, this was is the first time that migration in the Mediterranean has been specifically addressed at an EU level in a comprehensive approach dealing with all of the causes and effects of the phenomenon.

The debate and task force, he said, had been brought about through the concerted efforts of Mediterranean member states, including Malta.

“The strong engagement of the Government within the TFM resulted in a communication which takes on board proposals made by Malta, including those which the Prime Minister insisted should be included when he met with EU heads of state and government at the European Council meeting on October 24-25.”

The minister highlighted the importance of particular actions relating to engaging with Libya as a partner as well as the return and readmission of failed asylum seekers to countries of origin, including through efforts aimed at increased recognition of the EU standard travel document for repatriation.

He highlighted the importance of relocation of beneficiaries of protection from Malta, which faced disproportionate pressures.

In this regard, Dr Mallia stated that the implementation of the communication could only be viewed as a success if parallel progress was made in the implementation of all the measures in the five action areas, since there was no one measure that could alone constitute an effective response.