hree EU member states this morning offered to take migrants from Malta to ease the migration burden. Sources close to the ongoing meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Minsters in Luxembourg told timesofmalta.com that Belgium, Germany and Hungary have presented offers to Malta to resettle a number of migrants. No numbers have been given yet although Germany has confirmed that it has offered to take up to 100 refugees. Following the civil war in Libya, more than 1,000 migrants arrived in Malta in the past two weeks. Malta has asked for the activation of the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive obliging member states to share the burden with Malta by resettling displaced persons fleeing Libya. However, the Commission has so far refused to make a formal proposal. Commenting prior to the start of the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg this morning, Commissioner Malmstrom said: “It is still premature to activate the temporary protection directive and there are other ways to help Malta and Italy.” She said that she will be asking all member states to take migrants from Malta. The ministerial meeting is being attended by Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici.
The Times of Malta
