Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Frontex patrols stopped as Malta quits
'Italy, Libya patrols proving to be very effective'
Anti-migration patrols by Frontex off the island's shores have been cancelled after Malta pulled out of the planned operation Chronos, scheduled to start this month.
The Times has learnt that Malta has informed Frontex, the EU agency responsible for coordinating the mission, it was no longer interested in hosting this year's mission.
This is the first time in five years when there will be no anti-migration patrols.
On its part, Frontex cancelled the €9 million operation, although it made it clear it would restart surveillance operations on the central Mediterranean route if Malta changed its position and made a fresh request.
Malta's decision to quit comes just weeks after the EU approved a new code of engagement to be used during Frontex-led missions. This was opposed by the island at EU Council level because it was considered to be against Malta's interests.
However, according to government sources, the decision to withdraw had nothing to do with the guidelines, even though the island still disagreed with them.
"The reason why we decided not to take part in this year's mission is that we feel there is no need for this year's EU patrol," a government spokesman said when contacted.
"We have noticed that, following the introduction of joint patrols by Libya and Italy last year, the number of illegal immigrants reaching Malta has dropped significantly. We feel that, as long as this operation remains in place, there is no real need for another anti-migration mission on behalf of the EU," the spokesman explained.
Statistics obtained from the Home Affairs Ministry show that the number of illegal immigrants reaching Malta in 2009 dropped by more than half over the previous year.
While during 2008 a total of 84 boats with 2,775 illegal immigrants arrived from Libya, the number declined to 17 boats in 2009 and a total of 1,475 illegal immigrants.
The statistics also show that the majority of illegal immigrants reaching the island in 2009 arrived in the first half of the year when the joint Italian-Libyan anti-migration patrols had not yet started.
Since the introduction of the patrols, the flow of illegal immigrants to Malta and Lampedusa has almost stopped and none have reached the island so far this year.
According to the government, it was obvious the patrols by Italy and Libya were proving to be very effective and this was to Malta's benefit.
Asked what would happen if the numbers of illegal immigrants reaching Malta started increasing again this summer, the spokesman said that in that case "Malta will again ask Frontex to commence another mission and we will start negotiations on which rules of engagement are to be used".
Frontex-led anti-migration patrol missions in the Sicily-Malta-Libya strait have been held since 2006. In total, four operations, codenamed Nautilus were organised, two hosted by the Italians and the latest two by the Armed Forces of Malta.
Funded almost entirely by the EU, the missions were not considered to be as effective because Frontex did not have the mandate to turn back boats carrying illegal immigrants on their way to Europe.
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Tom Class
Apr 28th 2010, 18:30
With this decision, the Italian government does not need to continue patrolling the Mediterranean since due to Malta's extensive SAR, any illegal immigrants at sea
will be sent to Malta.
Unles we put our foot down and our AFM turn back any boat with illegal immigrants
from wherever they came, we will be going back to the EU in a couple of months time
crying for help...... at which point, it is going to be a take it or leave it situation.
Paul Caruana
Apr 28th 2010, 17:38
At this stage, we can only hope that the Italian - Libyan agreement holds.........quite frankly, the EU was more of a hinderance than a help with this problem.
On a more general note, it would appear that the grand, noble and very idealised concept of a grand union of all europe based on the concept of the various countries helping out each other in times of need is just that - just look at the treatment Greece is getting. When the going gets though, countries in need are basically left to fend for themselves!
If this behaviour continues, then I see a very dim future for the EU
Denis Catania
Apr 28th 2010, 16:47
Now we need to stop Malmstrom from deporting illegal immigrants to a third country such as Malta. We must not accept any non Maltese to be deported to Malta. None whats so ever.
Sean Grima
Apr 28th 2010, 15:09
once again some commentators conveniently omit to mention that italy is being sued on the basis that its actions are illegal.
Denis Catania
Apr 28th 2010, 17:07
Blah Blah Blah. sean grima I too pity you. Long live Malta.
John Azzopardi
Apr 29th 2010, 02:07
What a naive little man you are Sean. Maybe you should adopt some of them and let them stay with you instead of the maltese taxpayer who in their vast majority doesn't want these illegal immigrants here in Malta.
Sean Grima
Apr 29th 2010, 14:44
your views do not represent the majority of taxpayers. even if that were the case, human rights are not subject to the whim of the majority.
Patrick Sacco
Apr 28th 2010, 14:56
This decision should have been taken five years ago. Anyway, thank you Mr. Berlusconi for doing what our politicians failed to do for our country. What hypocrisy!
Alexander Morana
Apr 28th 2010, 14:49
So after all taking a unilateral action was always alright as long as it wasn't the Malta Government. What goes around comes around and some one has been proven right all the time.
Perhaps the EU will save their 9 million Euros as the Greek crisis are biting so hard Brussels will soon have to set a joint armed force to stave off the IMF.
Louise Vella
Apr 28th 2010, 14:48
Malta must say a big thank you to Berlusconi for reaching the agreement with Libya. Libya stops the illegal immigrants from leaving. Those who escape anyway are pushed back by Italy. But what will happen if Libya changes its mind? This is where UNHCR and Sweden's EU commissioner responsible for illegal immgrants, Cecilia Malmstrom, should pass from words to action. UNHCR should set up a proper office in Libya to process asylum applications. Those accepted will then be sent to countries that want them. Cecilia Malmstrom should take the lead to upgrade FRONTEX and make it a robust coastguard to take over the role of the Italian navy in pushing the boats back to Libya.
J. Spiteri
Apr 28th 2010, 12:40
Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope the joint patrols by Italy and Libya continue. Our forces should also take part in these patrols; we shouldn't just sit and let someone else do the work for us. At long last, government pulled out of Frontex, which was nothing more than a ferry service to Europe. As for Ms. Malmstrom, she should not bother to visit our country at all. We all know her views regarding immigration, so surely her visit will not be of ANY benefit our country.
Etienne Bonanno
Apr 28th 2010, 14:04
If the Gonzi adminstration had shown cooperation and support towards the Italian decision, perhaps that might have been possible. As it is...I doubt the Italians would welcome such a suggestion and be damned to us in the process. The Italians don't need us - it is us who need them - and we persist on biting the hand that feeds us!
sandro pace
Apr 28th 2010, 12:14
Wrong. First start negotiations on rules of engagements. Then and only if they carry no extra burden or responsabilities, ask Frontex to commence another mission.
Charles Sammut
Apr 28th 2010, 11:45
"We have noticed that, following the introduction of joint patrols by Libya and Italy last year, the number of illegal immigrants reaching Malta has dropped significantly. "
And the Maltese courts awarded a 2 year suspended sentence to Norman Lowell for suggesting that the solution lay in exactly what the Italians are doing now, four or five years after he had said it. But then the Italians pose no political threat to GonziPN.
Alistair Mangion
Apr 28th 2010, 16:57
So very well-said. THANK GOODNESS, NO FRONTEX AT LONG LAST.
John Azzopardi
Apr 28th 2010, 11:44
Frontex was a waste to begin with. Of course we will see more illegals coming to Malta to use our free health care and social benefits for the rest of their lives at our expense. Of course we all see what is happening with Greece. The government is on the verge of bankrupcy. This will doubt will happen to little Malta and you know what, no one will come t our aid because at the end of the day, Malta is not that significant in EU eyes. In the case of Greece, they are trying to come up with some form of aid package but this is being done at the expense of the taxpayers - 30% cut in salaries.
Emanuel Cilia Debono
Apr 28th 2010, 11:38
The Malta Government has full support from all people of goodwill. Keep it up!
If the E.U Commission wants to stop Frontex from plunging into the maelstorm , it should seek help elsewhere. Our little island cannot shoulder the storm single handed . It is more reasonable for the E.U. to try to whip up a tsunami of support for burden sharing from all over the Union , rather than focussing its sights on Malta alone.
Etienne Bonanno
Apr 28th 2010, 11:16
Why, but why did they have to go put their foot in it?! Putting the blame for not hosting Frontex on Italy's patrols is insane! Italy's deal with Libya is still highly contested and for all we know may soon be declared illegal. Besides, this declaration puts the initiative firmly in italy's hands instead of keeping control of the situation ourselves. Italy could very well decide that the flak it's getting for the joint patrols is not worth the hassle. In that case Malta would be left in a very embarassing situation.
It should have been made clear that the reason for Malta's withrawal was the new obligations foisted on it which it couldn't possibly fulfill. That would have left no room for equivocation. Besides how will our esteemed MP's sound in Brussels, when they complain (justly) about how overloaded Malta is, when they have just virtually declared they are pretty happy with the way things are, thank you very much!
The naivete of our officials is mindboggling!
Paul Barrett
Apr 28th 2010, 11:01
What no ferry service LOL.
Well done Malta, great decision - the EU got it totally wrong by trying to illegally change the International law of the sea.
Norman Lowell
Apr 28th 2010, 10:58
a government spokesman said when contacted.
"We have noticed that, following the introduction of joint patrols by Libya and Italy last year, the number of illegal immigrants reaching Malta has dropped significantly. We feel that, as long as this operation remains in place, there is no real need for another anti-migration mission on behalf of the EU," the spokesman explained.
So, stopping them out at sea is OK - so long as done by the Italians!
What hypocrisy.
Malta is leaderless and rudderless.
Neil Sant
Apr 28th 2010, 10:29
Well done to the Government for being assertive on this issue! A big well done to Italy and Libya for the successful joint patrols. The steep decline in illegal immigration this year is truly a wonderful thing for this country.
lgalea
Apr 28th 2010, 10:18
There is no need for Malmstrom to come and try to persuade the Government to accept to host AFFRONTEX.
If Malmstrom wants the patrols to resume she should host AFFRONTEX in her own country and take all the illegal immigrants including those already in Malta to her country.
Sean Grima
Apr 28th 2010, 11:08
seeing that most of immigrants apply for asylum and are thus not illegal, she won't be taking many!
lgalea
Apr 28th 2010, 22:44
Sean Grima From the more than 13,9000 ILLEGAL immigrats that came to Malta during the last 5 years only less than 300 were given refugee status and some were taken by other countries while the rest who did not qualify are still roaming around our streets. They should be taken by MAlmstrom if she come here because there is no need for her visit.
Raymond Sammut
Apr 29th 2010, 02:21
Quite the contrary, Sean. Since they are not illegal, because they applied for asylum, not only Ms Malmstrom, but anyone else is free to take them. There is nothing inappropriate in taking someone who is not illegal. Yet no-one wants to take them, except for dips and drips.
Your argument that they are not illegal because "they apply for asylum" is Machiavellian. Considering that they arrived through smuggling operations using illegal boats and exploiting SOLAS rules, it's a case of the end justifying the means. The legality of the argument itself can be questionable.