Smallest country with biggest heart

Some of the 249 migrants being welcomed into Malta

To set the record straight, I would like to share with readers of my blog, the situation of immigration in the Mediterranean. This in view of the highly publicized criticism about Malta refusing immigrants coming from Northern Africa. One should note that Malta is only 112 square miles, by far the smallest country in the European Union, and has taken thousands of immigrants over the years. We are overcrowded with Maltese natives, close to 450,000 in population, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

So while the media is reporting that Malta is a country refusing to allow migrant ships to enter our harbor, none of the other countries, millions of times bigger than Malta (and with plenty more resources,) are volunteering to take them in. Finally yesterday, Malta decided to welcome the 49 new arrivals, along with another 200 that arrived a few weeks ago. These will eventually be transferred to 8 different European countries who accepted to welcome them into their territory. It is unfair that the media report negative response from Malta, while in actual fact, our country is the only one that accepted the migrants and showed heart – certainly the smallest country with the biggest heart!

I feel the immigration problem can be solved only if the countries from where migrants are escaping from, can stop being violent and uncaring towards their people. If bigger and wealthier nations can help these countries, also by strengthening a democratic, civil society, the people there will start feeling safe and will have no need to escape, but can live in their homeland without any fear.