Italy says Malta migration accord is already operational
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Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said after an EU interior ministers meeting on migrants in Luxembourg Tuesday that “I can’t give numbers” of the countries backing a recent swift redistribution deal sealed in Malta.
Speaking after France said up to 10 countries might back the accord, Lamorgese said “those who have said yes are the three or four States who had already given their willingness, such as Luxembourg, and Ireland,” she said.
“We have to work to make the accord valid for the other countries too.
“Let’s hope we get agreement between November and December”.
Migrants arrive at the port in Motril after being rescued by Spanish Salvamento Maritimo (Maritime Rescue) boat, in Granada, Andalusia, Spain on the 07 October 2019. A total of 58 migrants were rescued while traveling on board a small board off Alboran island. EPA-EFE/Miguel Paquet
Earlier French EU Minister Amélie de Montchalin said 10 countries and “perhaps more” have decided to back the Malta accord to redistribute migrants as soon as possible.
Lamorgese added, however, that “the Malta accord is already operational because when the NGO ships arrive we already do the sharing out, with countries that give their willingness.
“Therefore the implementation is already there, even though there is nothing written down. Now we want to see it broadened as much as possible”.
