Malta will continue applying what Home Minister Byron Camilleri called a "fair but firm" migration policy as the European Union approaches the rollout of its new Migration and Asylum Pact. Following the 9th MED5 ministerial meeting in Malta, Camilleri stated that the pact's effectiveness will depend on stronger external border management and more efficient return systems across the EU.

Camilleri, who chaired the meeting involving ministers from Malta, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Cyprus, said the five frontline states had consolidated their common position in advance of the pact's implementation phase. He noted that Malta has significantly increased its return rate for individuals without valid asylum claims, which, according to Camilleri, demonstrates the country's success in distinguishing rapidly between those entitled to protection and those subject to repatriation.

The MED5 group, he added, has moved beyond simple consultation and now exerts tangible influence on EU home affairs deliberations. The European Commission's First Annual Migration Management Report confirmed substantial strain on Greece, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus, although Malta was not included among the states under notable pressure.

Italy's interior minister Matteo Piantedosi stressed that Mediterranean countries remain disproportionately affected by irregular arrivals and require meaningful solidarity measures from other EU partners. Greece's Dimitris Kairidis highlighted the impact of recent national legislation criminalising illegal stay, which he said contributed to a reduction of irregular entries by up to half in recent months, while cautioning that border control must be paired with broader reforms. Spain's Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Cyprus's Nicholas Ioannides likewise underscored the need for operational implementation, including reliable cooperation with origin countries and improvements in return procedures.

European Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner acknowledged that the pact contains compromises but argued that full implementation, expected by mid-2026, will strengthen the EU's capacity to manage migration flows and curb irregular crossings.