Malta buoyed by EU plan to stem migration

Human trafficking in the Mediterranean should no longer be "an easy ride", said Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo, as the EU embarks on its biggest ever drive to stem illegal migration in the region.

Countries like Italy, Spain and especially Malta have called the EU to the rescue as they grapple with the constant flow of thousands of immigrants in search of a better life.

At least 1,800 immigrants, most of whom are fleeing poverty and wars, reached Malta this year, though hundreds more are believed to have drowned making the perilous crossing from Africa to Europe.

In a comprehensive plan of action to combat illegal immigration, EU leaders meeting 10 days ago decided to introduce joint patrols in the Mediterranean, beef up spending and create rapid reaction teams.

Though the media's attention focused on the EU's budget between 2007 and 2013, the summit's conclusions look promising in terms of finally helping tiny Malta cope with the pressure of immigrant traffic.

"I admit, EU countries were initially reluctant to acknowledge the extent of illegal migration but I believe our vociferous efforts to put it on the agenda have paid off," Dr Frendo told The Times.

Dr Frendo has plenty to smile about as some of the recommendations were derived from a joint Italo-Maltese request to the EU. Some proposals also reflect the conclusions of the Maltese-Libyan joint paper on immigration endorsed by the 5+5 ministerial meeting held in Malta last November.

Amid what a source said was growing political support to shift Frontex (the EU border control agency) from Poland to Malta, the European Council agreed to introduce maritime patrols of the southern Mediterranean borders.

Dr Frendo believes the equipping of Frontex could discourage human traffickers from using "certain" notorious routes to reach Europe. The Council also signalled its intention to start a cooperation agreement with Libya, considered the main point of departure of thousands of illegal immigrants.

Border management measures in the Mediterranean will include joint operations and pilot projects that should be implemented as early as possible, the launch of a feasibility study on reinforcing the monitoring and surveillance of the southern maritime border of the EU and a Mediterranean Coastal Patrols Network involving EU member states and North African countries.

The EU leaders agreed to explore the technical feasibility of establishing a surveillance system covering the whole southern maritime border of the EU and the Mediterranean by the end of 2006. Such a system would use modern technology with the aim of saving lives at sea and tackling illegal immigration.

Though the proposals are still on paper, Dr Frendo believes they signal a massive step forward.

Dr Frendo and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg embarked on a systematic campaign this year to expose the problem of illegal migration in Malta.

Malta's "burden-sharing" request - to shift refugees to other EU countries - was given a lukewarm reception at best. But a European Commission announcement last week that it will forward a number of legislative initiatives aimed at opening Europe's doors to regular economic migrants, granting them both employment and residential permits, could prove to be a plausible alternative.

Dr Frendo is the first to applaud Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini's efforts, saying he fully realised the extent of the problem.

Asked whether he was optimistic that the summit conclusions would not simply remain on paper, Dr Frendo replied: "It would be a great failure for the EU in the next year if we don't set in motion certain tangible initiatives. I can assure you there will be a Mediterranean lobby to ensure the drive remains in focus."

With the upcoming Austrian presidency promising to bring the measures into effect, Dr Frendo's toughest part of the job might be done.