With some 750 migrants having landed in Malta so far this year, the vast majority of which were in May and June, Malta’s circumstances as it continues to grapple with the influx has not yet reached crisis proportions, but is drawing perilously close.

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with The Malta Independent, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg, believes Malta could potentially have a not necessarily unmanageable crisis on its hands should the migratory momentum gain speed over the rest of summer.

While Frontex patrols began to the south of Malta recently, Dr Borg is critical about what he describes as a “feeble response to Frontex operations” from many EU member states.

“I expected something much better,” he comments. While commending the efforts of Greece, Spain and Germany, he adds, “the fact that Italy is not participating and that Libya is not cooperating renders the operation less efficient.”

As to where migrants rescued by Frontex operations will be landed, Dr Borg is adamant that Malta will not take more than its fair share.

Dr Borg adds, “Let’s see how it will work out. We always reserved the right, if something happens that makes Malta’s load unbearable, to withdraw. We had the same agreement last year and we are very clear on the issue.

“Additionally, rather than expecting Malta to do it alone, we now have other countries involved, although I would have preferred to have had more on board.

“If because of this lack of participation we feel the Frontex operation is not achieving its aim, there is nothing stopping us from withdrawing from the operation.

“Not participating in Frontex, however, would have been the wrong decision since we need to send the message that the central Mediterranean is not a free-for-all zone.”