International Organisation for Migration director in Malta visit

The director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ambassador William Lacy Swing, is arriving in Malta on Sunday, 3 November, to discuss with the government the latest developments on migration in the Mediterranean and to explore ways for effectively managing mixed migration flows and addressing the migration-related challenges faced by Malta.

Swing will be meeting foreign minister George Vella and home affairs minister Manuel Mallia, as well as equality minister Helena Dalli, and European Asylum Support Office director Robert K. Visser). A visit of Hal Far Open Centre is also scheduled.

The official visit follows the tragic events of October 2013 in the waters between Libya, Malta and Italy, where hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers lost their lives, and which have drawn renewed attention to the plight of migrants drowning in the Mediterranean as they attempt to make their way to Europe on unseaworthy vessels operated by smuggling and trafficking syndicates.

Swing has already visited Italy, where during meetings with Pope Francis and government representatives, he called for urgent steps and intensified cooperation among all actors to prevent these tragedies from happening and to address the situation of migrants attempting life-threatening journeys.

"In addition to refugees and asylum seekers, [these migrants] comprise other vulnerable groups - such as victims of trafficking and unaccompanied minors - and people fleeing poverty and seeking better life opportunities.

"We need to change mentality and recognize that migration is a process to be managed and not a problem to be solved. Migrants have been tragically losing their lives in the Mediterranean for several years and this is continuing. Priority must therefore be given to save the lives of migrants: it is necessary to find ways to respond in solidarity with people escaping from often desperate situations," Swing said.

Swing said that IOM strongly supported the recent call of European Parliament President Martin Schulz for the enhancement of legal avenues for migration for migrants seeking better prospects in Europe, "which also constitutes a pragmatic measure against trafficking and smuggling in human being."

Established in 1951, currently counting 151 member states, IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. In Malta, IOM has been actively supporting the Government in migration management since 2007, through assisted voluntary return and reintegration in countries of origin, resettlement of refugees to the US and European countries, counter-trafficking initiatives, integration projects addressing both refugees and Third Country Nationals.