Giamberto de Vito meets the core of the migrant rescue ship MOAS in 2015

Italy’s former ambassador to Malta has urged the two countries to tone down their rhetoric and seek a common solution to the fate of the Aquarius migrant ship.

“I am very sorry to see what’s going on between Malta and Italy, with exaggerated tones from both sides, unsubstantiated allegations flying about, and threats of ‘retaliation’ such as cutting off Malta’s electricity supply,” Giamberto de Vito said on Facebook in a comment to a post by Alternattiva Demokratika politician Arnold Cassola. “This could compromise all the work and cooperation between us over the past few years. Let’s put our emotions aside and work this out together.”

The Aquarius ship, run by the NGO SOS Méditerranée, was en route to Sicily with 628 people on board but was left stranded yesterday after Italy shut its ports and demanded Malta take it instead.

Italy is insisting Malta is the ship’s closest safe port of call, but Malta is arguing Italy is responsible under international law as the charity ship had picked up the migrants in Libyan waters.

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Tim Diacono

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]