Updated at 10am with PD statement
The first group of immigrants who disembarked in Malta from aboard the MV Aquarius on August 15 have left to be relocated in France.
The immigrants were assisted by the International Office of Migration, local authorities, officials from the French Home Affairs Ministry as well authorities from the Embassy of France in Malta.
Deputy Ambassador Vanessa Salas Pouget - who was at the airport - said the relocation effort represents "a prime example of how European solidarity can achieve results to rapidly resolve cases requiring timely solutions to address humanitarian urgencies".
All 141 immigrants who arrived in Malta aboard the MV Aquarius on August 15 will eventually be relocated among several EU member states: France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain.
The ad hoc solidarity agreement in response to the humanitarian crisis aboard the MV Aquarius emerged following discussions between France and Malta and a number of European member states with the support of the European Commission.
Malta allowed the vessel to enter its port on August 15 and served as a logistical base.
Read: Aquarius leaves Malta despite fears it may be held over registration issues
Read: Migrant rescue ship Aquarius getting Panama flag
On August 13, Malta had already taken in 114 persons rescued at sea; 60 persons from this operation will also be distributed among other member states as part of the joint EU cooperation.
This is the second time such a voluntary solidarity mechanism was put into place, following that relating to the humanitarian crisis which concerned the MV Lifeline.
All countries except one - Italy - honoured the pledges committed in the ad hoc solidarity mechanism created to address the situation of the MV Lifeline.
PD insists there is a 'duty of care'
Partit Demokratiku was not appeased by the relocation, reminding that there was a "duty of care" to all migrants awaiting the processing of their asylum applications, especially the vulnerable which include women and children.
"There can be no push-back of persons awaiting the establishment of their legal status to countries where they could be subjected to exploitation and harm. The new trend by Italy and Malta of preventing them from disembarking, and consequently to not allow them to apply for asylum, is creative in a very negative sense," it said, adding that it was in favour of integration and equitable European burden-sharing.
It added that migrant children should be afforded shelter, healthcare, education and be recipients of state resources on par with those of Maltese children. Moreover, they should receive citizenship when born, raised, schooled and integrated in Malta, it said.