The reality of Europe’s irregular migration problem hit Malta hard yesterday after the new Italian government demanded it accept a boat carrying 629 asylum seekers.

Malta largely avoided Europe’s migration crisis in the past few years as Italy had accepted to take in all the migrants the island was obliged to take in under EU law. However, the new Italian government – a coalition between Lega Nord and Movimente 5 Stelle – showed clearly last night it plans to treat Malta differently.

Italian Home Affairs Minister Matteo Salvini announced that Italy will close its ports to the Aquarius – a migrant rescue ship run by the NGO SOS Méditerranée – as Malta was its closest safe port of call.

“It is not possible for Malta to say ‘no’ to every request for help,” Salvini said. “The Good Lord put Malta closer than Sicily to Africa.”

However, Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat insisted that Italy is obliged by international law to take in the migrants, a point he stressed in a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

“Malta is acting in full conformity with its international obligations,” Muscat said. “As such Malta will not take the said vessel in its ports. The Maltese government is concerned at the Italian authorities’ directions being given to Acquarius on the high seas which go against international rules, and risk creating a dangerous situation for all those involved.

He added that Malta will be willing to temporarily take in people who require emergency medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the mayors of Palermo, Naples, Messina and Reggio Calabria condemned Salvini’s announcement and said they will be willing to accept the Acquarius in their own ports.

“Palermo in ancient Greek meant ‘complete port’,” the Sicilian town’s mayor Leoluca Orlando said. “We have always welcomed rescue boats and vessels who saved lives at sea. We will not stop now. Salvini is violating the international law. He has once again shown that we are under an extreme far-right government.’’

According to Médecins Sans Frontières, there are 629 people on board – including 123 unaccompanied minors, 11 children and seven pregnant women. A number of journalists are also on board the ship.

What do you make of this developing situation?

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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]