France has committed to take in more migrants next year in addition to the 80 adults and 20 children who are due to leave Malta for a new life in France early next month.

French Immigration Minister Éric Besson made the commitment to take on more next year, but clearly said it would not be a multi-annual commitment. The move to have the migrants resettled came after an agreement was reached between the French and Maltese governments.

Addressing journalists at the end of a flying visit to Malta, Mr Besson said asylum rights were very much at the heart of his country. His was a symbolic visit, aimed at expressing solidarity with Malta, which is under huge migratory pressure – which France acknowledges. Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Mr Besson met with the migrants at the residence of the French Ambassador to Malta Daniel Rondeau.

It was smiles all round at the residence as adults and children basked in the knowledge of the imminence of their relocation to mainland Europe. After months in detention, open centre accommodation and red tape, they are now living the dream which they first conjured up years ago, and miles away in the continent of Africa. Some might be reunited with family, others might have started a family here and others might be starting with a completely new slate – but they finally have what they wanted – a new start on mainland Europe.

Mr Besson said his visit was also aimed at showing other European countries that the migration burden should be shared by everyone.

He said he hoped other countries could follow his country’s example. Although France wanted burden sharing to be voluntary, at the same time, he said, it has to be about something concrete that translates into real action. The decision to take on this batch this year, and another batch next year, is a clear example of what he said.

Illegal trafficking has become a very professional matter, so it is important to understand how human traffickers are exploiting human misery, said Mr Besson, adding that the EU needs to exert pressure on traffickers. He went on to speak about discussions with migrants’ countries of origin, and especially transit countries such as Libya. “Those persecuted in their own countries should ask for international protection,” said Mr Besson.

Maltese Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, on his part, said France is setting the example that burden sharing can be achieved. This is a special pilot project in burden sharing that came up from the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum, agreed to during the French EU presidency. He said Malta has had strong support from France in this regard.