(ANSA) - ROME, 12 NOV - In a joint statement Italy, Malta, Cyprus, and Greece - Europe's frontline countries in the Mediterranean region - called the failure to comply with agreements on migrant relocation "regrettable and disappointing." "Unfortunately, the number of relocation commitments made by participating member states represents only a minimal amount of the current number of irregular entries," the statement said.

The mechanism, they added, has proven "slow" to relieve pressure on "frontline" countries. (ANSA).