The PN said it has taken note of the initial proposal from the European Commission to launch an emergency intra-EU relocation scheme for migrants in Italy and Greece. While this is an emergency response to an emergency situation, the PN would have preferred had Malta, with its very specific and unique circumstances, also been included with the two other States. Nonetheless it is an acknowledgment that this is a European challenge that deserves a European response by every Member State acting in solidarity. It is a first step and will be followed by a permanent system expected to be proposed later in the year.

In a statement signed by deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami, shadow minister Roberta Metsola and spokesman Francis Zammit Dimceh, the PN also noted positively the Commission's commitment that should Malta experience a sudden influx of migrants, the relocation system will also be used for Malta. This is something we have argued in favour of for a long time on a local level and within the European Parliament. A relocation system must be one part of a holistic approach to migration. It must go hand in hand with other measures and we hope that this will signal the beginning of a reform of EU rules on migration and asylum that would mean that Mediterranean countries are no longer faced with a disproportionate responsibility once people are rescued from the sea.

The ball is now again in the Prime Minister’s court. The Prime Minister needs to safeguard Malta's interests within the European Council and achieve tangible results for our country. Equally, we expect every Member State to act in solidarity and to live up to its responsibilities. This is what the whole concept of co-responsibility is all about and this is the time when all the Member States must walk the talk and share between them the responsibility that pertains to all the members of the European Union.