The Maltese show the highest level of concern about migration issues of all 27 EU member states, according to a recent survey commissioned by the European Commission.

The Eurostat survey, intended to investigate the perceptions towards the EU's work in the areas of justice, freedom and security, showed that 87 per cent of the Maltese population are worried about immigration. The average "concern" among the other EU citizens stood at 61 per cent. The Spanish are also very concerned (84 per cent), as are the Danes (76 per cent) - probably due to the fact that many Iraqi refugees were recently admitted to the country - and the Italians (76 per cent) who, like Malta, are on the receiving end of the endless flow of African migrants.

The survey, conducted in Malta by Misco last September, questioned EU citizens on eight policy areas. The subjects also included asylum, the exchange of police and judicial information between member states, the fight against organised crime and terrorism, the fight against drug abuse, the control of the EU's external borders, the promotion and protection of fundamental rights, including children's rights, and the improvement of access to justice.

Apart from migration, the only other issues mentioned repeatedly as being "of concern" by Maltese respondents were drugs and terrorism.

When asked whether the EU is seen as a help to Malta when it comes to migration policy, only 56 per cent agreed that this is the case, while 28 per cent said they don't see any value in the EU when it comes to immigration.

A record number of illegal immigrants landed in Malta last year, totalling 2,704.

Throughout the EU, citizens are mainly worried about organised crime and terrorism.