Malta must respect international rescue accords, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said Wednesday after Valletta refused to pick migrants near the southern Italian island of Lampedusa.
Maroni said Italy and Malta had ''different interpretations'' of international treaties.
''That's why we've asked the European Union to clear up what is meant by a safe port, whether it's the nearest one or not''.
He explained that Lampedusa is, in fact, in Maltese rescue zone and Malta was getting EU money for this.
''We have asked Malta several times to cut its zone to no avail,'' Maroni said.
The minister, who voiced ''great esteem'' for Maltese Premier Lawrence Gonzi, said European Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani would visit Valletta ''to explain the situation''.
He also said ''there might be major news over the next two days,'' taken as a reference to the implementation of a recent patrol deal with Libya.
Maroni said he couldn't go into details ''to be on the safe side'' but ''if this thing comes off it will also solve the Malta issue''.
