For European and African countries to succeed in breaking the business model adopted by human traffickers, they must at least match their level of determination and creativity, Foreign Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela has said.

He was addressing the second ministerial conference on migration management. The conference was organised by Italy, and the theme was 'A Shared Responsibility for a Common Goal - Solidarity and Security'.

The conference was attended by representatives from Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Italy, Libya, Malta, the Netherlands, Niger, Spain, Sudan, Tunisia, and Bulgaria, the current holder of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Also participating were the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Volker Türk, the Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration William Lacy Swing, EEAS Secretary General Christian Leffler, and OSCE Secretary-General Thomas Greminger.

The conference aimed at enhancing dialogue between European and African countries of transit and destination of migratory flows. It provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among all players towards the adoption of a joint approach to the management of migration.

Minister Abela said he is heartened to note that the right tools to beat migrant smugglers and traffickers are being developed. He referred to the adoption of the Valletta Action Plan, and to efforts made at a regional level through the Valletta Framework being replicated on an international scale.

On transit countries, he remarked that their role should be further recognised as crucial, especially for protecting migrant rights. These countries are also well located to implement information campaigns for migrants and offer voluntary returns, he said. The Minister said that "this is not to say that countries of origin have less of a role. On the contrary, they have a responsibility to protect their own nationals and to promote and protect their human rights within their own borders."

Minister Abela called for continued backing of the International Organisation for Migration and of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, noting that their incessant efforts to support host communities and local authorities in countries of origin and transit, as well as to tackle human trafficking and smuggling, has borne fruit and saved numerous lives.

The Minister referred to Malta's belief on the importance of participating in the efforts of the international community in the field of development assistance, with the primary objective of eradicating poverty while promoting good governance and respect for human rights.