Malta and Italy took their quarrel over a vessel with 239 migrants to Twitter again on Sunday, with Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia replying in kind to taunts by an Italian minister and saying it was Italy’s refusal to take them that was inhumane.
His comments come after Italian Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli criticised Malta on his Facebook page as the MV Lifeline drifted off Malta.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has defended his government's position not to take in the migrants' boat, noting that the migrants aboard the vessel were picked up between Libya and Lampedusa. The operation was initially handled by the Rome Rescue Centre, with the Libyan authority assuming responsibility of the SAR cases.
But he also said on Sunday that nothing would be gained by duelling on social media.
Sig Toninelli said on Facebook “the inhumanity of Malta is the mirror of Europe's attitude”.
Reacting, Dr Farrugia said on Twitter that Toninelli had remained silent when the Lifeline was in Libya’s Search and Rescue Area and when it was close to Lampedusa. It was only when the vessel entered Malta’s SAR waters that he spoke up.
“Why weren’t they immediately allowed in by Italy, which is what it is asking of Malta? This is the true inhumanity,” he said.
1/2 Fino a quando la #Lifeline è stata nella zona #SAR di Libia e vicino al Italia (Lampedusa) solo silenzio da parte di @DaniloToninelli. Poi s’ ne e’ accorto all’ improvviso quando la nave ha attraversato la SAR di #Malta.
— Michael Farrugia (@dr_micfarr) June 24, 2018
2/2 Perché non sono stati messi in porto subito dal’ #Italia come sta chiedendo a #Malta? Questa e’ la vera disumanita’
— Michael Farrugia (@dr_micfarr) June 24, 2018
Retaliating, Toninelli said Italy did not coordinate the rescue operation, adding that over the past four years, its coastguard has rescued 600,000 people – many more than any other country. “Tell me now who is being inhumane?” he asked.
Ricordo al ministro dell'Interno maltese che l'Italia non coordinava l'operazione #Lifeline. In più negli ultimi 4 anni la nostra Guardia Costiera ha salvato nel Mediterraneo ben 600mila vite umane. Molte di più di Malta e di tutti gli altri paesi Ue. Ora mi dica chi è disumano!?
— Danilo Toninelli (@DaniloToninelli) June 24, 2018
Both Italy and Malta are attending an informal EU summit on migration on Sunday afternoon.
The ministers’ comments followed an invitation by the MV Lifeline to Matteo Salvini to see with his own eyes that the migrant vessel was carrying human beings, and not meat.
Salvini had said they were carrying 'meat that makes money'.
“Dear Matteo Salvini, we have no meat on board, but humans. We cordially invite you to convince yourself that it is people we have saved from drowning.
Come here, you are welcome,” they said on social media on Sunday morning.
Later, they called for a solution for the people aboard.
“We need a port of safety and at least one EU state to take responsibility right now,” they said on Twitter.
The vulnerable should be accepted on basis of proportionality - PD
Partit Demokratiku backed the government on its stand against Italy’s imposing demands when it comes to migration.
However, it suggested that the government should set an example by accepting vulnerable people from the MV Lifeline on the basis of proportionality, in solidarity with Italy. This would equate to at least one or two children or pregnant women to highlight Malta’s willingness to cooperate
"This move would show Malta is ready to bear our fair share of the migrant burden, and perhaps encourage other EU Member States to do likewise.
"Whatever the outcome, no lives should be put at risk for the sake of domestic political gain. The only solution to the dilemma lies in instigating asylum and return procedures in north African countries through heavy EU financial and human resource support."