During a debate on human trafficking in the Mediterranean in the European Parliament, Member of the European Parliament for Malta Roberta Metsola called for a better, holistic approach to tackle human trafficking networks that prey on the most vulnerable of our society.

Referring to the worrying new trend of 'ghost ships', Dr Metsola said: "These unseaworthy vessels are put on auto-pilot and have no crews; the images we have seen of decommissioned livestock vessels packed with vulnerable people will come back to haunt us. These vessels are packed with more people than previously. We are risking yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean, the likes of which we have never seen."

The MEP added that the EU needs to work with third countries to try to put a stop to this activity and have the political courage to look at long-term approaches that go beyond MEPs 5-year mandate, such as looking at legal avenues to migration and helping the worst affected countries get back on their feet.

"We need the courage to realise that the issue of migration cannot be faced by the Mediterranean countries on the periphery of Europe. Every European Government is as responsible as countries like Malta and Italy. They cannot shirk their responsibilities just because of they are not geographically in the Mediterranean," stated Dr Metsola.

She noted that the European Parliament passed two resolutions calling for action in the Mediterranean in the last 18 months, and insisted that the Council now needs to act: "We can no longer have Member States burying their heads in the sand and washing their hands of responsibility. This is a European issue and it needs a European solution."