European commission President Barroso has called for an intensified European Union response to tackle illegal immigrants. In a letter to the Heads of State, President Barroso referred to the massive arrival of illegal immigrants mainly to the Spanish, Italian and Maltese coasts as a “European problem” requiring a European effort.
The European Commission President said that the Commission is ready to continue and intensify its efforts which this year included joint operations in the Mediterranean under the coordination of the Borders Agency (FRONTEX) and dialogue with key African countries of origin and transit, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
“Concrete proposals could be presented to the Council in the coming months aiming at a reinforcement of FRONTEX capacity, the creation of a European system for border surveillance or the coordination of maritime border control. The Council and the Commission, together, could start reflecting on these or other possible actions to develop further our European activities in the field of immigration.”
Meanwhile, President Barroso has set up a special group in the Commission, chaired by Vice-President Frattini and bringing together other Commissioners with relevant responsibilities in several policy areas.
“It is of the utmost importance that all member states of the Union work together in a spirit of solidarity, not least to assist those southern member states most affected by illegal migration from Africa. Current joint efforts to help Spain, Italy and Malta constitute a concrete example of this European solidarity. These efforts, in particular for Spain, must be increased and intensified,” Barroso said in his letter.
President Barrroso defined “solidarity” in the form of financial support, the deployment of people and equipment to relevant borders as well as legislation to create a set of common rules.
While admitting that the decision making processes in the field are however not always very efficient, Barroso urged all Heads of State to thoroughly consider this matter when reflecting on the changes proposed by the Commission to be discussed during the Finnish Presidency.
In the meantime, another group of illegal immigrants landed in Malta on Friday.
See also:
Illegal immigrants disembark in Birżebbuġa
By MaltaMedia News - Sep 8, 2006, 09:24 CET
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