I refer to the letter Will EU Explain Please? (July 29).

Persons granted international protection are, by definition, not ‘illegal immigrants’ but, rather, they are persons deemed to be in need of assistance under international law. Malta has the international duty, as all EU member states, to seek to integrate those persons. This includes ensuring access to the labour market and to housing.

The EU Qualification Directive requires member states that grant international protection to provide travel documents.

Beneficiaries of international protection may travel within the Schengen area for up to three months within a six-month period but they may be returned to Malta if they are found to be exceeding these limits.

Refugees and those benefiting from international protection can also obtain a long-term residence permit, which allows them to move to a member state beyond the one that would have granted them protection, with a view to settling down there and seeking employment.

This right is subject to certain conditions, in particular five years of continuous and legal residence in the member state that granted international protection.