The European border agency’s plans to cater for an influx of people escaping Libya to Europe are all talk and no action for the moment because Malta has not yet agreed to host the mission.
The operation in the central Mediterranean will very much depend on whether other member states accept Malta’s condition that rescued people be taken to the safest port of call rather than to the country hosting the mission.
Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici yesterday reiterated Malta’s stand it would not accept a mission that would put a greater burden on the island.
Last year, Malta objected to the new European border agency Frontex guidelines that stipulated the host country be responsible for all people rescued during Frontex missions.
There is widespread anticipation that unrest in Libya will lead to a mass exodus of immigrants and Libyans seeking refuge in Europe. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has said 300,000 people could escape Libya, describing the potential exodus as being of “biblical proportions”.
The International Organisation for Migration said there were between 500,000 and 1.5 million third country nationals in Libya, amid reports some migrants were returning to sub-Saharan countries.
Frontex head Ilkka Laitinen said yesterday the magnitude of the exodus was “a billion dollar question” and refused to be drawn into speculating on the number of people the agency was expecting will flee Libya.
Speaking alongside Dr Mifsud Bonnici at the airport before leaving the island after a 24-hour visit, Mr Laitinen said seven possible scenarios were drawn up. He refrained from giving estimates and details of the plans Frontex was working on.
He said the agency had no military assets of its own and depended on the contribution of member states once it was decided that an operation would be launched.
Mr Laitinen said operations could include strengthening air and maritime surveillance, increased capacity to deal with those seeking protection at ports and airports and an improved repatriation mechanism for individuals who did not meet the criteria for humanitarian protection if and when they were returned.
He ruled out the adoption of “a push back and diversion” policy in such circumstances. Such a policy was adopted by Italy in agreement with Libya two years ago when immigrants found at sea were immediately repatriated.
Mr Laitinen did not want to discuss issues relating to burden sharing, which Malta has long insisted on, saying this was a political matter outside the remit of Frontex.