Illegal immigration: new political dispute between Italy and Malta
In what appears to be a new political dispute between Italy and Malta, Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini has appealed to the Maltese authorities to stop dragging its feet and shrink the Island’s Search and Rescue area by the end of the year.Minister Frattini’s call comes in the wake of 75 irregular immigrants feared dead in the Sicilian canal.The Italian Minister said that Malta’s SAR area, 250,000 square kilometres, was too large for a country, which was ill equipped to deal with the influx of irregular immigration. “Such tragedy does not have to repeat itself.” Asked if he was blaming Malta for the 75 dead, the Italian Minister said: “I do not have all the elements at hands to be sure. However, it is clear that they (Malta) do not have the equipment to control such an extensive area.”
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