Sea patrols are in 'Libya's interest' - Tonio Borg

Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg is not concerned by Libya's resistance to sea patrols in the Mediterranean ahead of a crucial meeting on September 6, since the EU is determined to press ahead with joint patrols.

Speaking to The Sunday Times ahead of the upcoming meeting between Libya, Italy and Malta, Dr Borg said: "Even if Libya isn't keen on participating in patrols I still think we should forge ahead with them. Ultimately, I think it's in Libya's interest that we start them as soon as possible."

Libya's Ambassador to Malta Saad El Shlmani made it clear in an interview with The Times, published yesterday, that his country will maintain its resistance to sea patrols.

EU joint patrols off Malta are expected to be launched in September to oversee an area just outside Libya's territorial waters. A meeting of Frontex, the EU's border agency, is being held in Malta this week to iron out the technicalities.

Dr Borg believes patrols will act as a deterrent, even if it will be difficult to gauge its success and impact for a while. Over 1,000 illegal immigrants have landed in the Canary Islands, despite the patrols and the co-operation of countries like Morocco and Mauritania.

"The patrols might net criminals and even save lives. If we're going to prevent the loss of life we need to be as close to the Libyan coast as possible. To prevent illegal immigration, it's useless carrying out patrols 60 miles from Libya. We have to go in international waters as close as possible to the Libyan coast," he said.

However, Dr Borg insisted that the September 6 meeting will not be a finger-pointing exercise. Nor will any conditions be imposed that are unacceptable to Libya.

"Unless we help Libya we're not going to help ourselves, even if some, especially the northerners, might argue that it should first sign the Geneva Convention before we start dialogue."

The fact that Libya is asking for EU funds and resources to combat illegal migration, even in its southern borders, is a reasonable demand, Dr Borg argued, especially considering the massive influx of illegal immigrants.

"I'm all in favour of assisting Libya, provided it plays ball," he said.

This meeting will be first time that Italy, Libya and Malta are getting together to thrash out this mounting problem. Dr Borg is not over-optimistic but said it was a good start.

"We have three countries that have been hit severely by the problem of illegal immigration. We have to remember that Libya is a transit country, which also needs help," he said.

The items on the agenda include the fight against illegal migration, saving lives at sea and in the desert region, combating human trafficking and smuggling, and the EU-Libya Action Plan.

The meeting came about after Dr Borg suggested the idea at a meeting with his Italian counterpart Giuliano Amato. The Libyan Secretary for Public Order (the Home Affairs Minister) Brigadier Saleh Rajab el Musmari will also be attending the meeting, and possibly the EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini.

Dr Borg is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Brigadier el Musmari.