EU summit on immigration set for June in Malta

(VALLETTA) - The European Union will hold a summit in Malta in June to discuss the problem of illegal immigration, the EU's new president, Herman Van Rompuy, said Wednesday.

Van Rompuy, visiting Malta as part of his tour of European capitals, made the announcement at a joint press conference with Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

The European Council late last year discussed the issue of immigration, "which is a concern not only for Malta but for all EU," Van Rompuy said.

"We plan a European Council meeting to discuss this theme in June," he added.

Gonzi said the summit would be the first of its kind and may become an annual meeting.

Van Rompuy noted that Malta's situation was unique given the disproportionate number of migrants arriving at the tiny, densely populated island.