Nationalist candidate Frank Portelli has welcomed the agreement reached between Italy and Libya for the repatriation of migrants immediately they are rescued at sea.

Reacting in a statement to concerns raised by humanitarian agencies about migrants not being given the chance to apply for asylum, Dr Portelli pointed out that the United Nations High Commission for Refugees has an office in Libya.

Therefore, he said, this office could receive those migrants who wished to apply for protection.

Dr Portelli pointed out that Malta had long complained it was carrying an excessively heavy burden of migrants, and European statistics had now confirmed that.

He said he would continue to work for this problem to be resolved.

 

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