Tensions between Malta and Italy over immigration issues within the Mediterranean have dominated numerous headlines over the past couple of months, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. Following the most recent slew of accusations thrown at the island by Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, the government of Malta has released a statement.

“The Maltese authorities have already been in contact with the Italian authorities to fulfil their pledged commitments as soon as possible,” the statement began. “Nevertheless, the Italian authorities have not provided any tangible procedure for Malta to follow.”

The statement, released earlier this morning, comes after Salvini was quoted accusing Malta of not fulfilling its commitments to a previous redistribution mechanism established by Italian authorities. The Maltese government, however, stated that the opposite was the case.

“Unfortunately, Italy has not yet fulfilled its commitments on the redistribution mechanism which was initiated by Malta with respect to the immigrants disembarked in Malta on board of the MV Lifeline on the 27th of June,” the statement reads. The government’s reply said that this was particularly unfortunate considering “the efforts of the Maltese authorities to complete this process with the Italian authorities”.

Finally, the official statement ends by throwing some shade Italy’s way while clearing the island’s name.

“Malta always participated in solidarity mechanisms and was the first European Union member state to fulfil its commitments with regard to the European Commission’s solidarity mechanism with respect to Italy and Greece,” the statement concluded. “Furthermore, Malta always adheres to international laws and applicable conventions.”

What do you make of this latest development? Let us know in the comments below

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David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).