Joint statement by Greece, Italy, Malta, and Cyprus on migration in the Mediterranean

Greece, Italy, Malta, and Cyprus issued a joint statement Malta, and Cyprus on the migration situation in the wider Mediterranean region, which emphasizes the need to develop a new European policy on migration and asylum inspired by the principles of solidarity and responsibility shared fairly among all Member States.fairly among all Member States.

The Joint Statement in detail:

Italy, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus, as first countries of reception in Europe, in the central and eastern Mediterranean corridor, bear the greatest burden in terms of managing migration flows in the Mediterranean, while fully complying with all international obligations and European Union rules.

We have always strongly supported the need to develop a new European policy on immigration and asylum, inspired by the principles of solidarity and responsibility, which will be shared fairly among all Member States.

On June 10, 2022, we adopted a Political Declaration on the establishment of a temporary and voluntary relocation mechanism, despite the fact that the MED 5 countries supported a mandatory relocation program. Unfortunately, the number of relocation offers made by participating Member States represents only a very small fraction of the actual number of irregular arrivals we have received so far this year.

Furthermore, to date, the mechanism has been slow to achieve its stated objective of alleviating the burden to which we are constantly exposed as frontline Member States, as only a small number of relocations have been carried out so far. This is unfortunate and disappointing, especially at a time when our countries are increasingly facing migratory pressure that is putting strain on our asylum and reception systems.

Pending agreement on an effective, fair, and permanent burden-sharing mechanism, we cannot support the idea that first-receiving countries are the only possible European destinations for irregular migrants, especially when this happens in an uncoordinated manner, based on a choice made by private vessels acting in complete autonomy from the competent state authorities.

We reiterate our position that the actions of these private vessels are not in line with the spirit of the international legal framework on search and rescue operations, which should be respected. Each State should effectively exercise its jurisdiction and control over ships flying its flag.

With full respect for the competences of coastal states under international law, we believe that a serious discussion on better coordination of these operations in the Mediterranean is needed, including ensuring that all such private vessels comply with relevant international conventions and other applicable rules, and that all states assume responsibility in accordance with their international obligations, is urgent and necessary. We call on the European Commission and the Presidency to take the necessary steps to initiate this discussion.