Assuming that we wish to solve our immigration crisis, here is my take.

The no policy of the previous Nationalist administration has failed. A policy of pushback cannot be pursued, since in effect it violates the rights of the persons seeking asylum. But there is a third policy line which I will summarise.

Malta, with all its good intentions, can only integrate with its population up to a certain number. Let us take that number to be the migrants currently in Malta. All new arrivals therefore can only be accommodated in Malta, pending their transfer to another EU country. They should be welcomed if they are saved at sea when seeking asylum – on condition that they would be integrated in another EU country and in the meantime we afford them our hospitality.

Negotiations are to be entered into with the EU in this regard to affirm this principle, that the expense is to be borne by the EU and that all new arrivals in Malta receive our hospitality on the stated condition.

Details of such a policy can very well be elaborated on.

Mario Mifsud

HAMRUN