The Union Haddiema Maghqudin said the irregular migration problem was too much for Malta and the European Union should do everything possible to help defeat the problem without the Armed Forces of Malta having to risk their lives.

Paying tribute to the AFM the UHM said the forces deserved recognition for their useful work, especially because of the poor light in which Malta was being put these days by the international media and because of the comments by EU Commissioner Franco Frattini.

The illegal immigration problem should be treated both on a human and a political level. Solidarity, it added, should remain a distinctive social characteristic of the European Union and its institutions.