Simon Busuttil emphasises protection of child asylum seekers

"Asylum seekers or not, member states must treat children as children first and foremost and must ensure that any child needing protection receives it," Busuttil said.

During the conference, on the situation of unaccompanied minors crossing into EU external borders, Busuttil highlighted the importance of safeguarding unaccompanied minors and reiterated the need for EU countries to implement existing legislation relating to children's rights.

"The European Parliament has clear ideas on protecting unaccompanied minors and we will push these points in the context of the legislative process in the area of immigration and asylum,” he said.

Busuttil added that next week the European Parliament's plenary will be voting on a new EU Directive on human trafficking, in Strasbourg, also addressing the issue of minors involved in human trafficking.

"If adopted, this Directive could be a first stepping stone in combating the consequences brought about by children migrating on their own into Europe,”Busuttil said. “Special actions to assist unaccompanied minors, appointment of individual guardians and the presence of representatives are all perfect examples of the use this directive could bring to the table".