VIDEO: Gonzi looks towards Frontex as repatriation vehicle for asylum seekers

He was addressing the press upon his return at 5:20pm from Rome, where he met counterpart Silvio Berlusconi to discuss various  matters of interest between the two countries.

Gonzi reiterated Malta’s position that the island will not participate in Frontex missions in the Mediterranean, until conditions are acceptable to Malta. The country previously signaled its opposition to accepting migrants intercepted in its vast search and rescue zone, when they could be taken to a nearest port of call in another EU member state, namely Italy, Greece or Cyprus.

Gonzi kept mum when answering questions on divorce or the inquiry his office is conducting on alleged leaks from the Office of the President. He was specifically asked by MaltaToday whether he intended holding a referendum on divorce before or after the next general election, and whether he should hold an investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement inside the Office of the President. “I am not going to answer this question, I did not discuss this with Mr Berlusconi,” he said.

On immigration, both countries expressed a common front that the EU must tackle illegal immigration collectively and promote burden sharing. Italy has also pledged support for Malta to host the next 5+5 meeting of EU-Mediterranean states, while Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi is expected to announce a forthcoming visit to Malta.