BRUSSELS, June 13 (UPI) -- Interior ministers of the European Union nations are arguing over how to handle the thousands of African and Iraqi refugees streaming into their countries.
At a meeting to discuss the migration, the ministers turned down a suggestion by Malta that the thousands of refugees fleeing violence in their homelands be divided evenly among the EU's members, The International Herald Tribune reported Wednesday.
EU officials argued the move might encourage rather than deter illegal immigration.
In addition, member nations are wary of taking on more immigrants since they are already grappling with integrating their current refugee populations.
Malta, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus have criticized fellow EU members for lack of solidarity in dealing with the thousands streaming into Europe.
Earlier this month, 27 Africans shipwrecked in the Mediterranean spent three days clinging to tuna nets while Malta and Libya argued over who should rescue them.
"The situation right now is just a complete mess," Maltese interior minister Tonio Borg told reporters.
