The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, hoped, on Tuesday 12 May, that Malta would “within the next few days” lift its objections to the financing of Operation Irini (see EUROPE B12484A5).
“I understand the concerns of Malta”, which is facing strong migratory pressure, “but I do not think that the solution is to make Operation Irini difficult”, he explained at the end of the video conference of European Defence Ministers.