AD calls for publication of Malta's alleged migrant agreement with Italy

Alternattiva Demokratika has called on the government to publish all documentation in its possession pertaining to why Italy has agreed to take in Malta’s share of asylum seekers rescued in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Maltese government has vehemently denied Italian media reports of an agreement through which the country would take in Malta’s share of asylum seekers in exchange for oil exploration rights in disputed territorial waters off Sicily.

However, AD deputy chairperson Carmel Cacopardo said in a statement that the government’s simple denial is insufficient and will not solve anything.

“It is pretty obvious that there exists some agreement on the matter, even if this is only based on the traditional friendship between Malta and Italy. It would have been much better if in addition to the denial, government published all the documentation in its possession about what was actually agreed to with the Italian government.

“The Maltese government should immediately put all its cards on the table and be transparent.”  

Earlier this week, Berlusconi family owned newspaper Il Giornale picked up media reports in Malta quoting Home Affairs minister Carmelo Abela saying there was an “informal agreement” between Italy and Malta to take in rescued people. Abela later issued a clarification saying there was no such agreement but a “close collaboration” between Italy and Malta in missions to save lives and that Italy’s decision was a sign of “political maturity”.