Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday said Malta was "ethically, morally and legally" correct to have refused entry to the Turkish cargo vessel that rescued 140 immigrants in international waters off Lampedusa. Speaking in Parliament last night he said that at the centre of this incident was a human tragedy that could not be forgotten. And although Malta was proud to defend the dignity of human life, it could not do so alone.
"We want to do our bit but we also expect the support and help of those who are able to do more than we can," he added, while assuring the House of Representatives that Malta's relationship with Italy remained as strong as it had always been.
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat welcomed the government's stand and said even if Malta had been technically incorrect, its decision was morally and politically the right one to take.
The immigrants, who were rescued by the cargo ship Pinar E on Thursday, were allowed into Sicily yesterday morning after four days stranded at sea.
They were ferried to Porto Empedocle in Agrigento on Italian patrol boats. A number of them were taken to hospital sick with fever and hypothermia.
An investigation was also initiated into the death of the pregnant woman who was said to have died before the rescue.
The Pinar E planned to continue on its way to Tunisia but some of its crew required medical attention, so it berthed in Lampedusa, where it was expected to undergo maintenance.
The dispute came to an end on Sunday evening when the Italian government said it would take the migrants strictly for humanitarian reasons, since the conditions on board had deteriorated.
This decision came after a plea by the owners of the ship who said they had run out of water, food and blankets and that the 153 people on board, including their 13 crew members, were "cold, sick and dying".
The ship had rescued the migrants from two rickety boats in distress. The rescue took place in international waters that were part of Malta's search and rescue zone.
After coordinating the rescue, Malta insisted the immigrants should be taken to Lampedusa, quoting the Search and Rescue convention which says they should be taken to the nearest, safest port.
But Italy refused entry, arguing Malta should abide by an amendment to the convention under which rescued persons must be taken to the port of the search and rescue area from where they were rescued. Malta never signed this amendment, and its position was backed by the captain of the ship.
It was only after a four-day standoff, and a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Italy's premier Silvio Berlusconi, that Italy's Justice Minister Roberto Maroni gave in.
Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg yesterday reiterated Malta's position and said it would not give in to any pressure to sign the amendment or to reduce its search and rescue area.
He said this decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting and it was final: "Everything will remain as it is. According to the rules, we are right. Proof of this is the fact Mr Maroni said we should change the rules.
"We are both under pressure because of immigration. But we have to stick to our position," he added.
When asked whether Malta would give in if a similar, but even worse humanitarian situation arose again, Dr Borg said it would be Italy's responsibility.
An EU Foreign Ministers' meeting will be held next week where both Malta and Italy are expected to bring up the issue.
cperegin@timesofmalta.com