On Wednesday, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela hailed the effective cooperation with Libya on the issue of illegal immigration.
Abela said Libya was helping Malta, more than the European Union. “Libya is not the cause of the immigration problem, but in fact it has helped Malta in recent months, more than the European Union on this issue.” This statement was issued during a meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on Wednesday.
“Libya should not be seen as a mere source of migrants. Rather, it should be seen as a country that deserves to have its dignity restored,” he added. The Maltese Prime Minister called for the resumption of oil production in Libya. He also stressed the importance of continuing cooperation with the Libyan Coast Guard, which already has limited resources.
Abela pointed to the absence of a comprehensive policy when it comes to rescuing migrants in Europe. He referred to a cargo ship that was stuck at sea with 27 migrants on board and accused the EU of abandoning these migrants.
Michel said the EU members need to avoid being drawn into conflict over the migration issue, and instead cooperate with each other.
A week ago, Amnesty International accused Malta of endangering the lives of migrants. It claimed that Malta adopted “illegal” strategies, and prevented boats from reaching its shores, leading to preventable deaths.