Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Stronger Frontex but no budget increase
The European Commission yesterday launched a set of proposals aimed at strengthening the role of its border control agency, but the changes are not backed by a commitment of new funds.
The two main proposals affecting Malta will be the possibility for Frontex to buy or lease its own patrol equipment, such as vessels and planes to be used in anti-migration patrols, and to oblige EU member states that committed themselves to take part in a Frontex operation to allocate equipment and staff.
However, European Justice Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom admitted when pressed at a news conference that there will be no extra funds given to the agency for the purchase of such equipment.
"Frontex's budget has already been increased substantially over the past years and has reached €80 million annually. Thus, there will be no additional funds available. The needs of Frontex will have to be catered for from existing funds."
At the same time, although the Commission is proposing that member states should be bound to contribute with equipment and staff to Frontex missions, Ms Malmstrom admitted this would only be "semi-compulsory".
According to the commissioner, EU member states will not be obliged to participate in Frontex missions but only to keep their word.
"One of the problems we had in the past years was that, though member states initially said they would participate, at the end of the day they didn't provide any means. What we are saying now is that if member states make a pledge they will have to keep it."
Sources usually critical of the agency yesterday described the new proposals as "minor" and "cosmetic" and said they would not effectively bring any change to the current operations of Frontex.
"Through these changes, member states will still not be obliged to share the burden of other member states and show real solidarity. Those who are not affected by immigration problems will keep away from Frontex activities as they have done so far," the sources said.
"Even the proposal of Frontex having its own equipment is faulty. How can you buy a small plane, which costs millions of euros, without any new funds?" the sources asked.
Although Frontex has been coordinating joint anti-migration patrol missions off the coast of Malta for the last four years, the patrols have had little effect on the influx of illegal immigrants reaching Malta from northern Africa because Frontex has no power to force immigrants back.
Lately, these operations have also lost their lustre as many member states declined to continue with their participation.
Last year, only Luxembourg and Germany contributed equipment to be used in Malta's Nautilus IV operation and the sea patrols were basically carried out single-handedly by Malta's armed forces.
France and Italy, which used to participate in the Malta-based operations, stopped doing so arguing that the missions were not effective.
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sean grima
Mar 1st 2010, 06:47
as they say, the voice of anti immigrants is like the one calling out in the desert ....nobody wants to hear it.
Joseph V. Grech
Feb 25th 2010, 22:24
Ms. Malmstrom - Can you please EXPLAIN how Frontex will be STRONGER if no proper rules of engagement have been decided?
Please act in Europe's interest - resist illegal immigration from whichever source. Do not try to compromise but be firm. That should be your - and the E.U.'s credo in this issue.
sean grima
Feb 25th 2010, 21:32
@lawrence galea: i will stop defending them when you stop stating falsities in the sense of their being illegal: they are legal in terms of the Maltese Refugees Act and also in terms of the Refugees Convention. so shame on you for giving a contrary impression. I'm sure the press would have a field day watching you wade to push the boats back when they arrive!
lgalea
Feb 25th 2010, 13:11
sean grima It is not sean. When are you going to stop defending ILLEGALITIES committed by ILLEGAL immigrants and start defending your country and countrymen? Shame and shame again on you. YES, we should start pushing the boats back to Libya sean. That's what Italy has been doing and that;s why we had less ILLEGAL immigrants last year.
As for Cecilia Malmstrom, why doesn't this petty eu dictator put her money where her mouth is and issue an air ticket to the ILLEGAL immigrants to take them direct to her own country or to Brussels?
Have a look at what she said yesterday as reported on the Euobserver
http://euobserver.com/9/29544
As for unity and stability in the eu have a look at
http://euobserver.com/9/29551
http://euobserver.com/9/29552
http://euobserver.com/9/29547
http://euobserver.com/9/29546
http://euobserver.com/9/29541
sean grima
Feb 25th 2010, 12:48
in spite of what louise continues to post, pushing back boats is illegal in terms of maltese and international law, and consequently cannot be done.
louise vella
Feb 25th 2010, 12:29
You cannot trust Malmstrom, a Swede, to protect Malta's interests and defend us from the influx of illegal immigrants. Sweden's agenda is to make sure that African boat people from Libya stay in the countries of southern Europe and if they go up north they will be sent back to Malta or Italy.
Malta does not need Frontex if it is only a ferry service transporting illegal immigrants from Libyan waters to Malta. The Frontex Malta needs is a robust coastguard which pushes back the boats to where they come from. The only policy that has worked so far is Berlusconi's push-back policy. Thanks to it the influx of illegal immigrants into Italy, and by accident also into Malta, has decreased. Berlusconi's push-back policy should be taken over by the EU which should give Frontex muscles and teeth.
sean grima
Feb 25th 2010, 10:49
yes, we should take john portelli's adive, and solve 'our' 'problem' by sending the boats back over the seas to where they came from!!
John Portelli
Feb 25th 2010, 09:57
How can Frontex possibly be called anti migration? when all they are is a taxi service.And why should our European brothers be held responsable for our problem if we were the ones who brought them in, in the first place? WE THE MALTESE SHOULD SOLVE OUR OWN PROBLEMS.