More cooperation required between Mediterranean and European states on immigration - minister

Stopping illegal immigration is something that can only be achieved through the cooperation of Mediterranean and European States, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said today in an address to the United Nations conference against human trafficking and people smuggling.

“It is a very sensitive issue affecting each and every one of us and is our responsibility to join forces to stop human smuggling,” Mifsud Bonnici said.

There has been a significant influx of illegal migrants in Malta between 2001 and 2009, which peaked in 2008 with a total of 2,775 migrants arriving in Malta.

“Though this might be a trivial figure when taken in the grand scheme of illegal immigration it is important to take into consideration that Malta is the most densely populated member state in the EU and one of the most densely populated countries in the world and thus has a huge impact on the country as a whole,” the minister said.

A reduction in migration to Malta in 2010 was primarily attributed to cooperation between Libya and Italy. “The problem needs to be tackled from the source and Libya requires assistance due to its large expanse of land and sea borders,” Mifsud Bonnici said.

The minister requested that the victims of human smuggling be kept in mind throughout the conference and that addressing the situation is both a necessity and moral duty.

The conference, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is attempting to address law enforcement and judicial cooperation among source, transit and destination countries and is being attended by delegates from across Europe and Africa specialising in law enforcement with special regards to illegal trafficking of people. The conference will run until 15 October.