Sixteen member states that attended the informal meeting called by the European Commission to discuss migration were willing to proceed with solutions, even in the absence of support from the countries that did not attend.

“This is not the ideal situation. But it is the most realistic one,” prime minister Joseph Muscat said.

Dr Muscat issued a briefing on Monday evening to explain the conclusions of the meeting, adding that when operational decisions had been taken in the past, the amount of boats crossing to Europe had declined by 78 per cent.

Read: EU migration summit: Muscat sees some willingness for operational changes

The prime minister called for the EU’s Operation Sophia to play a more central role – but for the Libyans to also do what was ‘expected of them’, even though this would require more resources and training of its coast guard.

Dr Muscat said that some of the proposals made by his Italian counterpart had been taken on board, while others were still under consideration.

The role of NGOs was also highlighted, although a more comprehensive role for naval patrols outside Libyan territorial waters was also put forward, he said.

One point that was causing concern was that some of the boats being used by NGOs are registered as pleasure craft and were therefore possibly inadequate for the rescues being carried out.

Another proposal is for there to be a regional welcome centre which would distinguish between economic migrants and those seeking international protection, all in compliance with international laws.

The prime minister also said that Malta had for the third time sent supplies and offered medical help to the Lifeline, which remains in limbo off the Libya coast with 239 people on board, after it “refused to comply with instructions” from the rescue centre.