Migrant countries of origin must shoulder their responsibilities and ensure that people who don’t qualify for protection can be swiftly returned to their home countries, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said today.

At the same time, European countries should provide more development aid to stimulate economic growth and address the issues pushing people from their homes, Mr Abela said.

Speaking at a consultation meeting this morning, the minister said the Valletta Summit on Migration next week would focus, among others, on setting up an emergency trust fund for Africa.

The fund, totalling nearly two billion euros, would finance projects aiming at creating employment opportunities and supporting basic services for local populations.

Mr Abela also announced that the government would next week be publishing a draft strategy document on migration for public consultation. The draft strategy will address the country’s response to the plight of asylum seekers in light of several EU directives the country is bound to implement, including the Reception Services Directive.

The document will seek to improve services at the open centre while facilitating the process for those who do not qualify for protection to be repatriated.

In his remarks, the minister also referred to a drive to strengthen human resources within the disciplinary corps. He noted that by the end of the year some 500 new members would have joined the corps, while around €800,000 has been invested in overseas training.

The minister also confirmed that a decrease in extra duty tax rate for police will be in place from January. This means police officers will be benefitting from around 390 euro extra a year. Currently 420 members participate in extra duty work.