VALLETTA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has explained his stance on the matter of the 629 migrants stranded on a humanitarian ship, saying that had Malta been the closest port of call, it would have had no hesitation in taking them in.
No country will order Malta around, irrespective of the relationship Malta has with them, Muscat said in a radio interview on Sunday, referring to the recent standoff with Italy about 629 migrants on the crowded humanitarian ship.
Malta's stance had the approval of the international community and the European Commission. The rescue had taken place in Libyan waters, with Lampedusa being the closest safest port, Muscat reiterated.
Earlier this week, Malta rejected an Italian demand that it accept the ship, the MV Aquarius, after Italy closed its ports to the vessel, stating that in terms of international law, the migrants should have been taken to the nearest safe harbour.
Muscat said on Sunday that while on its way to Italy, the ship was asked by Italian authorities to anchor in international waters -- a request which breached international law and risked causing a humanitarian crisis.
Had Malta been the closest port of call, and thus duty-bound to take in the migrants aboard the Aquarius, Malta would not have hesitated to do so, Muscat stressed.
He explained that his decision to deny the Italian request was not him "playing tough", but simply because his country was not responsible for the vessel, and because "we were obeying international law".
