President chairs migration discussions with UNHCR

The President of the Republic has had to reply to claims in the press – mainly in Church organ newsbook.com.mt and the ever-obliging Malta Independent – of not having attended the canonization of Catholic pontiff John Paul II, in a statement informing the public of an inter-institutional set of meetings dealing with migration.

Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said she was not present for the Vatican’s ceremony to make John Paul II a saint because he is facilitating a series of meetings dealing with migration, together with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration.

“These meetings will lead to a greater understanding of Malta’s needs on migration, and I hope they will also lead to greater aid to the island. The Office of the President is preparing for a meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis, and a meeting with Vatican officials that will also discuss migration,” Coleiro Preca said.