Intense lobbying by Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil and Labour MEP Louis Grech with their respective groups in the Budgets Committee of the European Parliament has resulted in an extra €30 million (Lm12.87 million) being allocated to the EU border control agency Frontex next year.
As a result of yesterday's vote, the Frontex budget will be doubled to €70 million (Lm30 million).
Originally, Parliament was proposing an increase of €10 million to the agency's budget for next year. However, Dr Busuttil and Mr Grech pushed for a further €20 million increase so that next year, the agency would be able to live up to its promises on controlling illegal immigration.
The decision now needs to be approved by the EU plenary.
Speaking to The Times yesterday, the two MEPs expressed satisfaction that both the European People's Party and the Socialist group had backed their demands.
"The political signal of this vote speaks for itself," Dr Busuttil said.
"Our aim is to increase the duration of Frontex missions in the Mediterranean, certainly to cover the peak immigration season from the beginning of May through to October. We will not be satisfied with anything less."
Mr Grech reiterated that Frontex now has to pull up its socks.
"Although it wasn't an easy task, we have managed to get our colleagues on board to practically double the agency's budget for next year. Now we expect that the agency will double its efforts to help countries like Malta that are facing an unprecedented influx of illegal immigrants."
He said that his collaboration with Dr Busuttil on this issue was ample proof that, in working together, Maltese MEPs could obtain tangible results.
"This is not the first time we have worked together. We collaborate all the time. However, today's result is tangible proof of our collaboration in the common interests of our country."
The final approved proposal was moved by the EPP-ED group on the initiative of Dr Busuttil and was supported by the Socialist group.
The vote also follows a recent visit to Malta by a delegation from the Budgets Committee which pledged support for the island.
During the same meeting, the Committee also decided to freeze one third of the agency's administrative budget until it improves its accountability and effectiveness.
"The money will be there. But if Frontex wants it, it needs to prove it is able to deliver more effectively. To do this it needs to get member states on board to deliver on their promises to provide the agency with the necessary assets to do its surveillance job.
Frontex must make sure its toolbox has the necessary tools," Dr Busuttil said.
Mr Grech argued that Frontex must now give the EP concrete plans on how it will be increasing its patrols next year. "If we are happy with Frontex's work we will find no difficulty to defrost the funds held."
According to EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini, as from next year, Frontex-led patrols in the Mediterranean will be carried out on an all-year-round basis.
Malta is involved in the Nautilus II patrol mission. The second phase of the mission started on September 10 and should end soon.