Call for UN help

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo used his speech to the United Nations General Assembly to call for help in dealing with illegal immigration. Other foreign ministers stressed the need for multilateralism 'in dealing with problems that transcend national borders'. From UPI:

..He told the U.N. General Assembly Monday mass illegal immigration from Africa to Europe is causing real hardship for countries such as Malta and asked members of the world organization to help shoulder the financial burden. Frendo said Malta and other arrival countries also needed to tackle criminal groups "taking advantage of the aspirations of human beings who have lost all hope."

He called on the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to assist with resettlement of refugees, noting that Malta had the second highest number of asylum applications last year in the European Union. "No country can tackle such an overwhelming phenomenon on its own," Frendo told the opening of the second and last week of the assembly's annual general debate.

"Illegal immigration needs a holistic approach internationally, stretching from combating criminal organizations, particularly in the countries of origin and of transit, from the strengthening of border control, to the promotion of good governance, economic development and the rule of law, to the resettlement of refugees and persons with humanitarian status," he said. The foreign minister also sought help in returning illegal immigrants to their countries of origin and transit and their reintegration into society.

Read full speech here