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.