EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot made a "solemn appeal" for Europe-wide solidarity today in an attempt to help Malta deal with illegal immigration problems, dpa reported. Barrot was in Malta as part of a fact-finding mission into conditions faced by illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, who try to enter the EU by reaching the island. The commissioner inspected the detention camps on the Mediterranean island and heard immigrants explain their plight. Displaying banners calling for freedom, the migrants gave a noisy reception, and appealed for better conditions as Barrot approached them. The tour came after a similar visit of immigrant camps on Lampedusa, an Italian island, by Barrot. Barrot told reporters that after this visit it had become clear to him that Malta cannot keep taking more migrants without facing insurmountable problems.
