In two separate developments in the European Parliament, funding for sea border patrol operations was increased and an "emergency clause" was introduced to disburse EU immigration funds quickly in emergency situations. Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Simon Busuttil welcomed the two developments as "concrete steps forward in common EU action on illegal immigration."
The first development came with the adoption by the European Parliament's Budgets Committee of a substantial increase in the budget for 2007 of Frontex, the EU agency responsible for external borders. The agency is also coordinating the EU sea border patrols to help combat illegal immigration. The Committee voted for a total budget of almost Lm 15 million (€35 million, US$ 43 million) for the agency for 2007. The amendments to increase the agency's budget were moved by the EPP-ED Group on the initiative of Dr Busuttil.
However, once the European Parliament approves its budget at first reading, it will still need to negotiate a final compromise with the Council of Ministers which earlier this year sought to reduce funding for the agency. "EU Governments in the Council must make up their mind" Dr Busuttil said. "They cannot say they want to help us on immigration and then reduce funding. We shall now see whether EU Governments are prepared to put their money where their mouth is." the MEP said.
The second development came this week with details of a compromise between the European Parliament and the Council on four new EU funds to operate from 2007 in the area of immigration. The final compromise is set to include amendments tabled earlier this year by Dr Busuttil to insert an emergency mechanism which would allow a quick disbursement of EU financial support in cases of immigration emergencies. "The ‘emergency clause’ means that EU funds can be disbursed quickly when we need them. If we face an emergency we will no longer be told to wait for a funding application to be issued some time in the future and then wait again for it to be processed. We will get support immediately." Dr Busuttil said.
The European Parliament is set to approve the final package on the four funds by next month. The two developments come in the wake of the launch last week of the first ever EU sea borders patrol in the central Mediterranean off the coast of Malta. Maltese MEPs had long called for sea patrols. “We cannot say that we have solved the problem of illegal immigration." Dr Busuttil said, adding that "But we have certainly started to mobilise concrete support from the EU."
Read more about this issue on MaltaMedia's special feature:
Lanċa Ġejja u Oħra Sejra: Malta and its migrations.
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