Malta will be taking a hard line at next week’s EU summit in Brussels when Italy is expected to demand that the EU Border Control Agency (Frontex) takes over responsibility for rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean.

Facing increasing demands by the opposition to end operation Mare Nostrum – as many are arguing the county cannot afford it – Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will be formally asking the EU to take over the operation.

Sources close to the Italian government told Times of Malta that Mr Renzi is expected to present a plan for Frontex to take over the duties of Mare Nostrum.

Although it is not known yet whether Malta has been involved in the drafting of this plan, the island is expected to give its full backing to the Italian proposal.

Read more on Times of Malta, the e-paper or timesofmalta.com premium here.

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