Maroni hails 'excellent collaboration' between Italy, Malta and Libya to counter illegal immigration

Speaking in Venice this morning, the Northern League minister made reference to the controversy that erupted this week, after a Maltese patrol boat ‘shared’ Somali migrants with a Libyan-flagged patrol boat.  The Somalis were reportedly tricked into believing they were going to be taken to Italy as the crew on board the vessel was Italian speaking, but were instead returned to Tripoli.

“The agreement reached between Italy and Libya has in substance stopped the flows of migrant boats, giving a new life to tourism to islands like Lampedusa, and saving many human lives,” Maroni said.

Maroni added that the “excellent agreement reached with Libya two years ago is in fact bearing fruit. The Libyans are patrolling, and Italy, Libya and Malta are actively cooperating with each other to avoid migrant arrivals and human tragedies.”

The Italian minister stressed that he was “satisfied” with how things were developing in the Mediterranean.