The proper way to go about it

The Budget Committee of the European Parliament accepted a proposal put forward by Maltese MEP Louis Grech suggesting the setting up of an EU immigration agency in Malta.

MEPs from the EPP-ED group voted against, preferring to support an increase in the budget of the EU Borders agency, Frontex. Maltese MEP Dr Simon Busuttil, who also forms part of the Budgets Committee, supported Mr Grech's amendment and voted for it.

Dr Busuttil's behaviour defies the absurd logic of Maltese politics but it was the right thing to do. Getting the agency here helps focus EU attention on the immigration challenge in the central Mediterranean. As for the increase in the Frontex budget, that will have to come as well... eventually.

In the meantime, EU Interior Ministers meeting in Luxembourg agreed to strengthen Europe's southern maritime borders to avoid a further massive inflow of illegal immigrants. They also agreed to further boost Frontex.

They also adopted a regulation creating Rapid Border Intervention Teams (RABIT). The Commission was asked to present a communication by the end of 2006 to improve EU capabilities to manage migratory crisis situations.