EU patrols on hold as states grapple over destination of rescued illegal immigrants

The start of this year's EU surveillance patrol mission against illegal immigration off the coast of Malta has been postponed at the eleventh hour, The Sunday Times has learnt.

Sources close to Frontex, the EU border control agency which co-ordinates these missions, said that the launch of the so-called Nautilus III mission was currently on hold until a final agreement was reached between participating member states on who should assume responsibility of the illegal immigrants saved at sea. It is now not clear when the mission will start.

"Everything was prepared so that the Nautilus III mission would start last week (April 22). However, this was not possible as an important agreement between the participating countries has not been reached," the sources explained.

Although the nature of the last-minute disagreement is unclear, the sources said it mainly con- cern the 'rules of engagement' of participating member states.

"Malta, which is one of the main players in this mission, is insisting that there are clear rules on who is to take final responsibility for the illegal immigrants saved in non-EU waters. It seems that, until now, some member states, particularly Germany and France, have not yet agreed to share responsibility."

During last year's patrol mission surveying the sea strait between Sicily, Malta and Libya, a specific code was agreed among those taking part.

Under this agreement, illegal immigrants saved in the Maltese Search and Rescue Area (SAR) were to be taken to the closest land in the area, either Malta or Lampedusa. On the other hand, those saved in third country waters or their SAR were to be taken to the member states which saved them. "It seems that France and Germany are now rethinking their position and don't want to agree to such terms. They simply want to participate and take the illegal immigrants found by their assets either to Malta or Italy," the sources said.

Contacted by The Sunday Times yesterday, a Maltese government spokesman refused to comment on the matter since issues of security were involved. He said discussions were still ongoing and the government was optimistic that the mission would begin in the coming days.

The planned Frontex mission is supposed to be the longest ever on the central Mediterranean route, lasting some 23 weeks and with a budget of more than €8 million (Lm3.43m). Last year's mission lasted only two months and was interrupted during the peak of the season in August.

Although these missions help, it seems that the EU's member states are still shying away from Malta's original proposal made last year on burden sharing.

Pressed on the issue last Wednesday by MEP Simon Busuttil during a debate at the European Parliament, acting EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot evaded the issue and only said that the Commission was working on a 'communication' on the need of a global approach to illegal immigration.

Dr Busuttil accused the other EU member states of just paying lip service to solidarity when it came to illegal immigrants.

He told Mr Barrot that the real solution must involve a discussion on burden sharing and accused the EU Council (member states) of shying away from this proposal.

"We must not be hypocrites on this issue, being appalled when an incident happens and at the same time leave the southern member states shoulder the burden," Dr Busuttil charged.

Frontex started its patrol missions off Malta in 2006 with a first three-week experimental mission. The EU agency covers 80 per cent of the expenses of these missions through its budget.