No immediate plans to start patrols

It will take almost another month before Malta is assisted by the EU border control agency Frontex against the influx of illegal immigrants even though the island is already facing a crisis.

Over the past five days, more than 150 illegal immigrants have landed or were brought ashore, while hundreds have arrived in Sicily and Lampedusa. A number have perished at sea.

When asked if Frontex would be responding to this urgent situation, a spokesman for the agency admitted it could not do much at the moment because it was still preparing to launch its mission on the central Mediterranean route during the "peak" of the illegal immigrant season.

"Frontex has not started its patrols as its activities are supplementary to the activities taken by member states.

Therefore, in the period of peak arrivals, there will be a Frontex coordinated joint operation.

"Please remember that responsibility for border control and search and rescue lies with member states," the spokesman added.

Although he did not mention dates - a standard procedure to protect the mission's objectives - EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini last week promised, during an interview with The Times, that this year's EU patrols would start earlier than last year's. The first Frontex operation last year came under fire for being "too short, too late". Operation Nautilus 1 only started in October and lasted a mere 15 days.

During that period, no illegal immigrants arrived in Malta.

Sources close to the Maltese Armed Forces said yesterday that although this year's Frontex-coordinated mission will start earlier, with the end of June being the target date, more assistance was needed.

"Nautilus 2 will be a mission with Malta and Greece being the main participants. This year, Italy will not be taking part.

"It will be four to five weeks long and should be over by the end of July. Although this is a help, it is far from enough because illegal immigrants will still be attempting the crossing as long as the weather is favourable. That means the season will run until the end of October."

The EU has this year more than doubled the Frontex budget in order to be in a position to improve the battle against illegal immigration. However, it seems Frontex is still not in a position to act faster.

The agency spokesman noted that: "Frontex cannot take the responsibility that belongs to member states. Its mandate refers to the coordination of operational cooperation.

"Carrying out continuous operations is not possible for many reasons... One shouldn't perceive Frontex as a sort of special forces going for missions when something irregular is appearing at the border."

Asked whether the agency was considering amending its patrol plans in the light of the current situation, the spokesman said its operation in the Mediterranean would be carried out only "at the right moment".