Immigration and the situation in Libya were discussed between Tonio Borg and Franco Frattini, the foreign ministers of Malta and Italy, respectively, during a meeting in Rome this morning.

Dr Borg informed Mr Frattini of Malta’s request to the European Commission to launch the emergency solidarity mechanism. The arrival of 816 immigrants from Libya in 24 hours in a small densely populated country, created a crisis, Dr Borg said, adding that one had to see the numbers in proportion to territory and population.

The two ministers discussed the ministerial Naples meeting being held in preparation for the 5+5 summit. The preparatory meeting has been postponed by a few weeks.

The 5+5 summit gathers the heads of government of 10 countries bordering the Mediterranean.

Dr Borg also briefed Mr Frattini about yesterday’s visit to Malta by Libyan deputy foreign minister Abdul-Ati al-Obeidi.

He told Mr Frattini that the Maltese government insisted that there could be no solution to Libya as long as it continued to be administered by the current administration.

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