Malta is the only European country dedicating all its military assets to rescue people in distress in the Mediterranean, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday when visiting a vessel that last year saved 3,000 people.

“As a State, we’re devoting 100 per cent of our limited military assets... I’m quite certain we’re the only country in Europe that is devoting 100 per cent of our assets to search and rescue operations,” he said.

There should be legal ways through which people can travel to Europe in search of better opportunities, he added.

Dr Muscat was speaking to the media after being shown around Phoenix, the Migrant Offshore Aid Station’s vessel that will today sail out on its first mission this summer, which will extend over six months.

Referring to the Moas initiative, the Prime Minister said any added asset was welcome news, however, humanitarian aid was only part of the holistic plan for migration.

“The security aspect cannot be underestimated. We need to go after the criminals who are organising this network and when it comes to long-term issues, we need security in Libya and development in Africa.”

Dr Muscat said he was sensing a change in attitude among most European countries following the tragedy in the Mediterranean two weeks ago when at least 800 people drowned. The tragedy, he said, “struck a chord” with many.

His comments came after the European Parliament approved a resolution calling on member states to adopt binding, rather than voluntary, burden sharing.

From left: Regina Catrambone, Will Turner and Joseph Muscat at Moas yesterday.

“The European Commission is coming up with very concrete proposals. Unfortunately, not all member states are in favour of such proposals.

“I think that states saying they bear the brunt, even though they’re not at the border, are the ones that would benefit most from some sort of redistribution.”

We need to go after the criminals who are organising this network

The problem did not just involve the Maltese, the Italians or Europeans and there was need of a global solution similar to the Bretton Woods Conference – formally known as the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference – that would lead to rules on how to deal with asylum seekers and economic migrants who could be turned back if they did not qualify for protection, he said.

“Then again, we have to understand that it is a legitimate human aspiration for people who want to improve their lifestyle to go elsewhere and that’s why we need to promote legal and legitimate ways through which people can enter Europe,” Dr Muscat said.

The 43-metre long Moas vessel was yesterday making the final preparations to set sail on a mission that entrepreneurs Chris and Regina Catrambone launch­ed last year.

Asked about her expectations after the Italian naval and air operation Mare Nostrum was replaced by a limited border security operation, Ms Catrambone referred to last week’s funeral in Malta of 24 people who were among a much larger group that drowned.

“We were very sad we couldn’t be out at sea to help... We’ve heard about an increase in funds for Frontex, however, this is a border control mission and not a humanitarian one.

“I wish the international world would send more assets to sea to reinforce and create a serious humanitarian mission,” she said.

Reacting to criticism by those who believe the rescue mission encouraged migration, she said Moas was not in operation when almost 1,000 people died trying to make the crossing.

Meanwhile, this year, the international NGO Doctors Without Borders has teamed up with Moas for a joint operation and the mission will triple to six months from last year’s two months when 3,000 people were rescued.

Médecins Sans Frontières’ team aboard the Phoenix is made up of two doctors, a nurse, a communications officer, a photographer and emergency coordinator Will Turner. Mr Turner said this was the first mission of the sort and of the scale for MSF.

“Migration in the Mediterranean Sea is one of the main humanitarian crises of our time and we felt compelled to take part in this search and rescue mission.

“Europe has the capacity to prevent loss of life at sea and it’s unacceptable that Europe is not deploying its resources.

“There are no safe or legal pathways to seek asylum so people are forced to climb in the hands of human traffickers,” he said.

www.moas.eu and Twitter: www.twitter.com/moas_eu