Malta: Illegal Immigrants

Mrs. Lait
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) the government of Malta and (b) the EU on illegal migration to Malta from the African coast; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last met Foreign Minster Dr. Tonio Borg on 20 November 2008. During this meeting migration was discussed, and Dr. Borg mentioned co-operation with Italy on illegal migration.

Illegal migration was also raised by Malta and Italy at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 27 April 2009, where Ministers noted the challenges that migration across the Mediterranean poses for all member states.

In addition, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary attends the Justice and Home Affairs Council, where illegal transit migration routes from Africa through the Mediterranean are regularly discussed.