Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, have this evening held a telephone conversation, the DOI said.

The two discussed the recent events related to migration flows in the Mediterranean.

President Macron and Prime Minister Muscat stated the convergence of the two member states in this policy area and agreed to work together in the run up to the next European Council and beyond.

Speaking to Repubblica TV this evening, Italian Deputy PM Salvini said he would be speaking to Maltese authorities tomorrow. He said the Maltese attitude was 'unacceptable'.

The bishops of Malta and Gozo issued a joint statement this evening, and urged European politicians to continue to find humanitarian solutions without forgetting the realities of the citizens in their own countries. They appreciated the fact that Malta provided material and medical help to the asylum seekers and ask God to be with the politicians in their considerations in this regard.