Small Country Big Problem

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo appeals for help via the pages of the International Herald Tribune:

What is the solution? We can only have a comprehensive plan. We must not close one road for the traffickers and leave "softer" options open. Along with joint patrolling of the west Mediterranean, we must have joint patrolling in the central Mediterranean area. The message to criminal organizations must be that no route will be easy anymore.

The Morocco conference was only a step. The EU- AU Tripoli ministerial conference must follow without delay. The Morocco declaration calls for it to be held this year. All countries must fight international criminal organizations. And international law should be respected. Article 13 of the Cotonou agreement signed by African countries calls for the repatriation of illegal migrants. This must be followed by all nations.

Development assistance is clearly a very important part of the solution to ensure that people retain the hope to make a living for themselves and their families in their own societies. In all this we must retain an unremitting commitment to provide full protection to refugees and persons requiring humanitarian status.

We need urgent action. For the 400,000 citizens of my country crammed in 316 square kilometers, this is truly vital. Malta needs help - now

A similar appeal by Minister Frendo was made in the pages of French Newspaper Le Figaro; From The BBC: Malta Spain migrant crisis deal reached