Lifeline set to dock in Malta; Italy to take some of the migrants – Giuseppe Conte
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ANSA – Premier Giuseppe Conte said Tuesday that Malta has agreed to let the Lifeline dock there while Italy is set to receive some of the migrants that it has on board. “I have just spoke on the telephone to (Maltese) Premier (Joseph) Muscat,” Conte said.
“The Lifeline NGO ship will dock in Malta.
“Consistent with the cardinal principle of our proposal on immigration – according to which, those who land on the Italian, Spanish, Greek or Maltese coast, land in Europe – Italy will do its bit and receive a quota of the migrants aboard the Lifeline, with the hope that the other European countries do the same, as they have in part pre-announced”.
The Italian government had threatened to impound the Lifeline if it came to Italy, saying its rescue of over 200 migrants off the coast of Libya was illegal.
The Malta Independent reports that four countries have accepted to take a number of migrants who are currently stranded on board the MV Lifeline 25 miles off Malta, the government said in a statement.
The government did not name the nations, but it is clear that Malta, France, Italu and Spain are the countries who have so far accepted to take some of the 234 migrants who have been on the boat for five days.
“The diplomatic effort by the Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat as well as the European institutions is leading to an ad hoc agreement to distribute the migrants on board the MV Lifeline amongst a number of willing member states,” the statement said.
“Four member states have already confirmed their participation, while another two are evaluating the case,” the government said.
ANSA also reported that a European Commission spokesperson said Tuesday that Italy should not be left to handle the burden of all the ships that rescue migrants in the southern Mediterranean in its own.
“There are lots of parties doing rescues in the Mediterranean, between NGOs and national ships,” the spokesperson said.
“Clearly there is a problem. It is not fair that just one EU country receives these ships and we understand the Italian position.
“This was one of the points of discussion on Sunday (at an informal meeting of EU leaders) and it will also be at the (upcoming) European Council.
“We are working on disembarkment options and a better system of disembarkment and management of search and rescue.
