The Home Affairs Ministry this morning rebutted a statement by former Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema to Euronews that Malta directed migrant boats to Italy.

The ministry said that Malta has always met its international obligations in carrying out search and rescue operations to the full since before the migratory flow from Libya towards Europe started in 2002, saving thousands of immigrants from certain death on the high seas in the process.

"The Hon D'Alema's comments are misleading and simply not supported by facts that are acknowledged by the UNHCR and Eurostat, amongst others.

"For the sake of accuracy, between 2002 and today the Armed Forces of Malta have saved 14,824 persons from 372 boats. Since its inception, the Office of the Refugee Commissioner has processed in excess of 13,000 applications for asylum, the vast majority of which came from persons who were rescued by our armed forces. It is also worth underscoring that due to its small size, Malta has the highest rate of asylum applications per capita in Europe. Naturally, this rate far exceeds Italy's," the ministry said.

Mr D'Alema's interview can be seen at:

http://prod-euronews.euronews.net/2012/04/12/d-alema-merkel-represents-a-selfish-europe/

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