Sea patrols to start next week

Frontex-led patrols off the coasts of Malta are due to start next week following an agreement reached yesterday between Malta, Italy, France and Germany on the rules of engagement to be applied during the six-month long Nautilus III mission.

The Times has learned that the agreement was struck following a technical meeting at the EU's border control agency's headquarters in Warsaw and high-level diplomatic talks between the four EU members involved.

A government spokesman and Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil, who is the EPP's spokesman on Frontex, confirmed when contacted by The Times that an agreement was indeed reached and that the mission is now expected to start operating as from next week.

Originally, this year's mission was expected to be launched on April 22 but it was postponed at the 11th hour following disagreement between Malta, Italy, France and Germany over who should assume the final responsibility for illegal immigrants saved in the search and rescue area (SAR) of Libya during the patrol mission.

Frontex sources said that the four member states now agreed that "rules regarding the disembarkation of persons rescued at sea during the operation will remain the same as in last year's operation".

According to Frontex this will mean that "migrants saved in the Libyan search and rescue area (SAR) will be taken to Libya (and) when not possible to the closest safe haven".

According to maritime rules, the closest safe haven will mean either Malta or Lampedusa, depending on which island is the closest when illegal immigrants are taken on board.

The same sources said that, in line with last year's agreement, when Libya refuses to take illegal immigrants back, as will probably be the case this year, both Germany and France had accepted to assume responsibility of the illegal immigrants saved by their assets.

During this year's mission, Germany and France will be providing air cover while Italy and Malta will be operating through their maritime and air squadrons.

Until this agreement was reached, both France and Germany were refusing to take responsibility for any illegal immigrants saved in Libya's SAR area.

Speaking to The Times, Dr Busuttil welcomed this latest development.

"When I proposed to double the budget of the agency last year I did not do it just to give them more money. I did it to give them sufficient means to undertake longer missions in the Mediterranean. Last year Nautilus lasted two months, this year it will operate for six months because they have the necessary funds. But it has to be clear that Frontex must deliver. My support and that of the EPP is not unconditional. If Frontex does not deliver then it cannot expect our support," he said.

Frontex has budgeted €8 million for this mission.