Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini have held talks in Luxembourg on illegal immigration.

The talks were held prior to the start of an EU foreign ministers' meeting which is also discussing migration.

The Foreign Ministry said the talks with Sig Frattini followed up last Thursday's meeting between the home affairs ministers of the two countries.

The EU foreign ministers are discussing current and future EU action towards easing the burden on Malta and Italy.

Dr. Borg told the ministers that the migration problem was a human tragedy and that other Member States should share this burden as previously agreed in the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum. Dr. Borg said that this was not only a problem of the Mediterranean, as with the opening of the borders between Member States, its effects would be felt elsewhere within the European Union.

Mr Frattini appealed for the strengthening of Frontex and the need for increased solidarity amongst Member States.

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