Migrant tragedy affects all Europe

"Turkey is standing at the juncture of the immigrant movement but there is also an influx of immigrants from North Africa to Italy and the new EU territory Malta," Metin Çorabatır told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, citing an unfolding human tragedy due to rows over the countries' areas of responsibility.

Turkish cargo ship Pınar E. recently rescued about 140 migrants from two sinking boats in the Mediterranean Sea, ending a humanitarian crisis that erupted due to a row between Italy and its neighbor Malta. When the ship was in international waters between the two EU member states, Italy said Malta should take the migrants, while Malta said the ship was closer to the Italian island of Lampedusa than to Malta. The dispute was settled once Italy allowed Pınar E. to dock in one of its ports for humanitarian reasons.

"The international maritime law is not clear enough about the countries' responsibilities in accepting asylum seekers at sea and it only says rescued persons are disembarked on the closest territory, leading to disputes between the relevant states and leaving immigrants in jeopardy," said Çorabatır.

Row between Italy and Malta

A similar incident occurred when some 230 people were rescued last Wednesday by Italian patrol boats in the Maltese Search and Rescue Region, or SAR, and sent back to Libya without proper assessment of their possible protection needs.

The Geneva-based U.N. refugee agency expressed deep concern and High Commissioner Antonio Guterres said in a written statement: "I appeal to the Italian and Maltese authorities to continue to ensure that people rescued at sea and in need of international protection receive full access to territory and asylum procedures." The rescue took place about 35 nautical miles southeast of the Italian island of Lampedusa, but within the Maltese SAR zone.

The diversion to Libya followed a day of heated discussions between Italian and Maltese authorities about who was responsible for the rescue and disembarkation of the people on the three boats.

Although closer to Lampedusa, the vessels were in the Maltese search and rescue area of responsibility, announced the U.N. agency.

"We, as the U.N. refugee agency, expect all countries to act with common sense and warn those including our donor EU member states to ensure international protection," Çorabatır said.