Brussels, 08/12/2008 (Agence Europe) -As a gesture of solidarity to countries under major migratory pressure, French Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux announced on Tuesday 2 December that France would take on 80 immigrants currently in Malta next year. This announcement was immediately welcomed as good news by the Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil (EPP-ED), who described this gesture as a symbol of "active solidarity" towards a country which is one of the hardest-hit by immigration in Europe. "France is setting the example regarding the disproportionate burden on the shoulders of the member states of the South, such as Malta", the MEP stressed. (B.C./transl.fl)