top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Macron: France to welcome migrants from Lifeline ship

France is to be one of six European nations to welcome a portion of the migrants from the humanitarian vessel Lifeline, which looks set to land in Malta in the coming days, President Emmanuel Macron has announced.

This will amount to “several dozen people per country”, Mr Macron said at a press conference during his visit with Pope Francis this week.

The vessel is carrying 233 migrants, thought to originate mainly from northern Africa.

Yesterday, the Italian head of state Giuseppe Conte confirmed that he had spoken with the Maltese Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, on the telephone, and that the Lifeline boat would now be permitted to land in Malta - although a date has not yet been confirmed.

Yet, President Macron criticised Lifeline - the German NGO boat owner of the same name - for having acted “against all the rules, and those of the Libyan Coast Guard”, and warned against “played into the hands of smugglers”.

Mr Macron added: “We cannot continue to accept this situation, because in the name of ‘humanitarianism’, we no longer have any control. In the end...we are giving the smugglers what they want.”

Italy is set to take on some of the migrants as well, but also plans to subject the ship to “investigations to ascertain its true nationality, and ensure that its crew has respected international law”.

The Lifeline vessel is the latest migrant ship to make headlines after the 600-person Aquarius was refused entry by Malta and Italy two weeks ago, highlighting the stark difference between the attitude of various European nations to welcoming migrants.

Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland have adopted a hardline stance, while France and Germany, under Chancellor Angela Merkel, have called for a European-wide cooperative approach.

In France, Marine Le Pen has caused controversy by saying that the solution would be “to take [the migrants] back to their port of departure, in Libya”.

She said: “Not all of Libya is currently a conflict zone.”

Le Pen also criticised the NGOs that help migrants, accusing them of “complicity” with smugglers, and “seeking stowaways on coastlines to take them to the European Union”.

She added: “The goal of the NGOs is not to bring people to safety, but to bring them to the EU, underlined by an ideological desire to force Europe to welcome all of these migratory movements.

“There is an ideological desire to force Europe to take responsibility - unmanageably, I think - for a large part of the world’s misery.”

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France