On migrants Italy, Malta, Cyprus and Greece are on the attack: “NGOs often outlawed. We are the States most exposed to the emergency”

Italy, Malta, Cyprus and Greece are taking a stand against the NGO ships serving in the Mediterranean to rescue migrants who go to sea from North Africa .

In a joint note, the four governments invite humanitarian organizations to "respect the international legal framework on search and rescue operations".

"Each State - reads a joint note - must actually exercise jurisdiction and control over the ships flying its flag". Furthermore, the four countries believe that a discussion on the coordination of NGOs in compliance with international conventions is "urgent and necessary".

"All flag States assume their responsibilities in accordance with their international obligations", continues the note, inviting the EU to adopt the measures to start the discussion. Furthermore, in the joint declaration, Rome and the other three Mediterranean nations - which are also the countries of first entry into Europe in the Mediterranean - define the non-compliance with the agreements on the relocation of migrants as "unfortunate and disappointing".

"Unfortunately - reads the note -, the number of relocation commitments undertaken by the participating Member States represents only a very small fraction of the actual number of irregular arrivals".

The mechanism, they add, has proven to be "slow" in relieving pressure on "front-line" countries.

(Unioneonline/lf)