Leaders and representatives from nine southern member states of the European Union gathered in Malta on Friday to align their positions ahead of an informal Heads of State summit scheduled in Granada on October 6. The Med9 meeting aimed to accelerate talks on a new Pact on Asylum and Migration, seeking a concrete agreement before the current European Commission mandate ends. Delegates also called for intensified efforts to address both migration flows and the increasing impact of natural disasters.
In this context, remarks from the French president and the Italian prime minister carried a common thread: the need for a unified EU response to migration challenges. The Italian leader underscored that extraordinary circumstances persist, notably on the island of Lampedusa, and emphasized the importance of solidarity among EU destinations. President Macron warned that without structural solutions, the burden would fall first on destination countries and then spread further. The sense of urgency resonated across the summit, with a call for shared responsibility and concerted action.
Italy’s stance was reinforced by a push to engage African partners more actively and to advance European repatriation agreements that had not yet been signed bilaterally by all concerned nations. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis echoed the open invitation to align policies and reinforce collective measures to manage the migration route effectively, highlighting the need for practical arrangements that can withstand political shifts.
climate change
Beyond migration, the dialogue extended to climate resilience. Mitsotakis urged solid, coordinated, long-term cooperation to confront the consequences of the climate crisis after the summer’s fires and severe floods. The leaders stressed that words must be matched with funding and concrete projects. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob linked the migration challenge to climate-related disasters, advocating for synchronized action in both areas. Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela emphasized the necessity of securing adequate funding to address natural disasters while supporting migration policy efforts. This broader perspective underscored how environmental shocks and population movements interact and require joint planning.
Spain’s delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Ignacio Navarro on behalf of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, outlined a practical approach: reassess the EU’s balance sheet for the 2021-2027 period and seek backing from other EU members to push the agreed measures forward. The emphasis was on strengthening the EU’s fiscal and strategic capacity to respond to evolving migration and climate needs.
South vs North
The Malta talks also reflected a continuing tension between southern and northern EU members. Italy signaled a renewed willingness to set aside past frictions with France to pursue common policies on migration. The attention then shifted to broader continental dynamics, particularly the EU’s internal disagreements over how to share responsibilities and fund migrant reception and rescue operations. At the same time, Germany faced its own disagreements with the Med9 countries, notably over Berlin’s decision to allocate funds to NGOs involved in rescuing migrants in Italy. Rome viewed such moves with concern, arguing that they could undermine agreed EU procedures.
During a recent call with the German chancellor, Italian leaders discussed proposed changes to the asylum and immigration framework. The Italian side warned that redirecting support to non-governmental organizations within the rescue network might represent a step backward for unified policy. Nonetheless, the Med9 bloc reminded observers that its members account for a substantial share of Europe’s population and economic output, underscoring the strategic weight they carry in shaping the union’s migration and climate agendas. The dialogue highlighted the core challenge: translating political consensus into practical, enforceable policy that protects both the rights of asylum seekers and the stability of member states. [citation: Med9 communique and subsequent briefings]