MEP requests immediate start to Frontex patrols

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil, who was recently appointed the EPP-ED group spokesman on Frontex, the EU border control agency, yesterday requested the immediate start of this year's anti-immigration patrol mission in the Mediterranean.

In a letter addressed to Frontex's executive director Brig. Gen. Ilkka Laitinen, Dr Busuttil stated that milder weather has already increased the flow of illegal trips across the Mediterranean organised by criminal organisations.

The Nationalist MEP noted that this will lead to more tragic incidents, loss of life and, inevitably, Mediterranean countries arguing over who should receive the immigrants.

"Countries such as Malta, which with great difficulty are still hosting thousands of immigrants who arrived in previous years, cannot afford to shoulder a greater burden," Dr Busuttil told Brig. Gen. Laitenen.

"I, therefore, call upon you to take timely action to address this situation. In particular, I ask you to launch this year's Nautilus mission in the central Mediterranean region without delay and to ensure that it continues without interruption throughout the entire immigration season."

This year's mission, to be called Nautilus III, will for the first time cover a period of six consecutive months, following Dr Busuttil's successful initiative to increase Frontex's budget for 2008 by €30 million (Lm12.88 million).

Frontex has already allocated more than €8 million (Lm3.47 million) specifically to be used for this year's mission in the central Mediterranean route.

Over the last few days, three boatloads of illegal immigrants have landed in Malta marking the start of the illegal migration "season".

Earlier this week, Frontex sources told The Sunday Times that the launch of the Nautilus III mission was imminent, however, no precise dates were given due to security reasons.

A source close to the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) said yesterday that they will be participating in this year's mission with both the maritime and air squadrons.

"All preparations have been made from our side and we are ready to enter into action as soon as Frontex gives us the go-ahead. However, so far Frontex has not given us the green light," the source said.

Nautilus III will again cover the strait between Sicily, Malta and Libya although it is still not yet clear whether Libya's search and rescue area will also be covered. Frontex sources said Tripoli had not yet told the agency whether it will be collaborating with the EU mission.

Frontex and the EU have been trying to engage Libya in these operations for the last three years but, despite various promises by the Libyan authorities, they have not yet agreed to take part.

Ten member states are expected to participate in this year's mission including Malta, Italy and Germany.