The new anti-migration EU mission has not attracted the necessary resources from member states, Times of Malta is informed.
Despite the fact that the mission, codenamed Triton, is scheduled to start on November 1, sources close to Frontex – the EU’s agency coordinating the mission – told this newspaper that, so far, only eight of the 28 EU member states had pledged to provide assets. Others are willing to send personnel to Italy, which will be hosting the operation.
Malta has promised assets, however, the sources said participation would be “very small” considering the direct interest the island had in the patrol area.
The Home Affairs Ministry failed to reply when asked to confirm the island’s participation and what assets it will contribute.
The sources said Triton was discussed at length with the Maltese authorities with the aim of engaging the island in the mission’s coordination.
“It seems Malta was not too keen to have a more meaningful participation”, they said.
The government did not answer a question about any possible differences between Malta, Italy and Frontex on this mission.
Frontex has issued a second invitation to member states to pledge further assets and personnel.
The EU agency foresees a monthly deployment of two ocean patrol vessels, two coastal patrol vessels, two patrol boats, two aircraft and a helicopter. So far, such assets are still missing.
The operation will cost the EU about €3 million a month.
Gil Arias Fernández, Frontex executive director, said that while the agency was pleased with the support provided, it required more technical equipment to fully implement the operation.
“According to the mandate of Frontex, the primary focus of operation Triton will be border control.
“However, I must stress that, as in all our maritime operations, we consider saving lives an absolute priority for the agency,” Mr Fernández said.
The new mission will not cover the entire central Mediterranean route that is considered to be the one most used by sub-Saharan Africans to cross over to Europe from Libya.
It will be limited to an area about 30 nautical miles south of Sicily. The Libya-Malta-Sicily strait is currently being covered by Mare Nostrum, conducted by the Italian navy.
However, Rome has already said it planned to stop the mission once the EU operation was in place. If this happens, it will leave Malta and Lampedusa completely open to irregular migrants crossing the Mediterranean from north Africa.