Malta, Italy and Greece want European leaders meeting today to reach an ‘effective decision’ on ways to tackle the migrants crisis in the Mediterranean, Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech said this morning.

He was speaking at a joint press conference with the European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos, the Italian Minister for Home Affairs Angelino Alfano and the Greek Minister of Solidarity Theano Fotiou, who were here for this morning’s migrants funeral.

“The ceremony this morning would have been in vain without concrete action. Too many lives have been lost. The EU today needs to take a political decision to ensure such incidents are not repeated,” Mr Grech said.

Mr Avramopoulos said the situation needed to change now.

“Action has to be taken now, we will be taking action,” he said. “Europe is declaring war on the smugglers, and is seeking partners outside Europe because this is a global problem.”

Mr Alfano said this was the second migrants funeral he had attended, the tragedy in Lampedusa having been the first.

“The scenes today were a punch in the stomach for those who are indifferent. All European expect strong signs from the (EU) meeting today,” he said.

Ms Fotio said the Mediterranean should be a sea of solidarity and ‘not a grave’.

The officials said solutions should focus on addressing security while averting tragedies. They should include strengthening Frontex operations, fighting the human traffickers, increasing support to frontline member states, drying up the market for smugglers by offering alternative, legal routes to migration, and incentives for the migrants’ voluntary return to their countries.

"The EU needs to move from emergency mode to long-term solutions by adopting a broader and more holistic approach to the problem," Mr Avramopoulos said.