Minister for Home Affairs and Security, Glenn Bedingfield held an introductory meeting with Salvatore Sortino, IOM Chief of Mission for Italy and Malta and Representative to the Holy See, during which they discussed the longstanding cooperation between Malta and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on migration management.
The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in key areas including assisted voluntary return and reintegration, relocation and resettlement programmes, counter-smuggling initiatives, and ethical labour migration. The Minister reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to working closely with IOM to ensure migration is managed in a humane, orderly and sustainable manner, while strengthening effective return policies and tackling irregular migration.
“The IOM remains a key international partner in supporting Malta’s migration objectives. We look forward to building on this strong relationship, particularly in promoting voluntary returns, supporting vulnerable migrants and addressing the evolving migration challenges facing the Central Mediterranean,” Minister Bedingfield said.
Minister Bedingfield also welcomed the IOM’s work in addressing the root causes and drivers of irregular migration through awareness-raising campaigns in countries of origin and transit about the risks of irregular migration, while promoting safe and legal migration pathways.
