Update 3 - Muscat discusses migration with Italian PM - Focus on regional action

UPDATED - Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this afternoon had a meeting in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Entrico Letta, with the focus being on migration. Both prime ministers described their talks as important and fruitful, with Mr Letta saying that the EU needed to give more importance to immigration and Mediterranean affairs, and that could happen with the forthcoming Greek presidency, followed by the Italian presidency. Dr Muscat said the two leaders had spoken on possible initiatives. He also had a discussion on the phone last week with Greek Prime Minister Samaras. Mr Letta said he woudl travel to Athens on Monday week. He said the two sides had also discussed issues related to the search and rescue area and military and coastguard cooperation. Mr Letta said Malta was a natural partner of Italy regarding immigration and Mediterranean affairs. “We have common positions and common thought and we will rope in Malta to prepare for these two presidencies,” he said. He said that in Libya, from where the migrants leave on their journey across the Mediterranean, there was a need institution building. Last week Dr Muscat insisted that Libya needed to be seen as part of the solution to...