Frattini calls for more resources for border agency
Although there has been a much better response by member states than last year to the Commission's call for equipment to be used in patrols against illegal immigration this summer, the Commission is still not satisfied and has called for more...
Although there has been a much better response by member states than last year to the Commission's call for equipment to be used in patrols against illegal immigration this summer, the Commission is still not satisfied and has called for more efforts.
Addressing a press conference in Brussels yesterday following a meeting of EU Justice Ministers, Commissioner Franco Frattini called on all EU member states to make an extra effort and provide more equipment than they have done so far to the EU's border control agency, Frontex.
According to Frattini, 19 of the 27 member states plus Norway and Iceland pledged to send in all eight planes, 15 helicopters and 36 boats to patrol the EU's southern borders. However, the Commissioner said that he hoped that "all member states would make technical equipment for Frontex available by the end of April".
"We need more than this if we really want to tackle illegal immigration. Countries like Spain, Malta and Italy cannot be left alone and all the EU should help them as this is a common problem."
Interior Minister Tonio Borg, who represented Malta at the meeting, confirmed that Malta had already responded positively to Commissioner Frattini's call for equipment.
"As we did last year, we are ready to provide our patrol boats and army personal for Frontex's needs. We will probably be using our equipment to control our own shores against illegal migration but we are all in favour of cooperating with Frontex and other member states on this important issue."
According to Commission sources, Spain, Italy, Germany and Finland made the biggest offers.
During yesterday's meeting, EU ministers also agreed to push ahead with plans to establish teams of national experts that can be deployed quickly to support member states faced with massive arrivals of illegal immigrants.
Commissioner Frattini said that these teams should be up-and-running by the beginning of May.
The initiative still needs the approval of the European Parliament and a final green light from EU member states.