"We cannot, unfortunately, expect the migratory pressures on the EU's southern maritime borders to ease in the near future. On the contrary, demographic statistical data indicate that migration is set to rise as the population of the 50 least developed countries is likely to more than double, from 800 million in 2007 to 1.7 billion in 2050," the Commissioner said.

Commissioner Frattini said the European Union (EU) will keep a lookout for any change in migratory routes towards the bloc.

Just weeks ago, the union set in motion a number of initiatives to boost the operational capacity of Frontex. It is expected that the Commission will unveil proposals for a new European surveillance system for all external land and maritime borders in May, added Mr Frattini.

Border patrolling agency Frontex was set up two years ago to combat illegal immigration in the EU.   It first joint patrol missions were launched last year, one of which took place off the Maltese coast.  He announced that the Commission will, in May, unveil proposals for a new European surveillance system for all external land and maritime borders.

Sources close to Frontex told The Times of Malta that the agency, together with the Maltese government and a number of other EU member states, is working on a new patrol mission to be launched on the central Mediterranean route, also covering Malta. It is hoped that this mission will start before summer, the season when illegal migration from North Africa reaches its peak.

Read more about this issue on MaltaMedia's special feature: Lanċa Ġejja u Oħra Sejra: Malta and its migrations.