10 January
Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat says eight European Union countries will accept 49 stranded migrants from Africa.
Muscat said on Wednesday that Italy, Germany, and six others agreed to take them in after talks within the EU.
In December, the 49 people were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea by ships operated by non-governmental organizations.
They have been forced to stay on the ships as European countries, including Italy and Malta, refused to accept them. That refusal has drawn criticism.
Muscat said the immigrants will be transferred from Malta to the eight countries.
Despite that, Italy -- an effective gateway to Europe for migrants and refugees -- maintains its stance of rejecting migrants in principle.
Many people have been heading to Europe from Africa and the Middle East across the Mediterranean in a flight from poverty or armed conflict.
NHK
