Frattini wants Malta branch

European Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini said yesterday that Malta will be the ideal location to host a Frontex branch responsible for the agency's operations in the Mediterranean.

Unveiling proposals aimed at strengthening the EU border management system, Mr Frattini told The Times during a press conference in Brussels that he wants this new specialised branch to be based on the island.

"In view of the developments towards more permanent operations by Frontex and the evolution of the task for the agency as a whole, consideration should now be given to the setting up of specialised branches in member states through which the agency may operate for a practical organisation of joint operations and pilot projects.

"Priority should be given to a branch for the southern maritime borders," he said.

Asked where this branch could be located, Mr Frattini said he would support the proposal for an agency in Malta.

Malta's name to host Frontex or one of its branches surfaced some years ago when the EU was deciding which member state should host the agency. Malta had expressed an interest and submitted a formal request to host the agency's headquarters.

In the end, however, the EU had agreed to establish the agency in Warsaw, Poland - the biggest of the new member states.

Commission sources said yesterday that Mr Frattini's insistence that a new branch for the Mediterranean should be allocated to Malta "will do justice with the island".

Frontex has been active in Malta, particularly in its seas, since its inception and has so far conducted annual border patrols in the Sicily-Malta-Libya strait against illegal migration. This year's patrols are expected to become longer, spanning the whole illegal migration season.

Malta was instrumental in doubling the agency's budget for this year.

On the initiative of Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil, the European Parliament agreed to increase the agency's budget from €40 million last year to €70 million this year.

Apart from strengthening the role Frontex plays, the Commission's new proposals include other measures aimed at developing the management of its frontiers. These include facilitating border surveillance by improving cooperation between member states and using new technology, intensifying joint operations between member states and the launching of an entry-exit system to facilitate better oversight of persons entering or exiting the Schengen area.

The proposals also include the creation of a registered traveller programme for quick and easy travel for frequent travellers from non-EU countries who satisfy a pre-screening assessment.

Proposals at a glance

• Frontex will establish specialised regional branches. First priority should be given to a branch for the southern Mediterranean region.

• Frontex should have its own equipment to be able to intervene against illegal migration.

• EU will create a European border surveillance system to prevent unauthorised border crossings, reducing the number of illegal immigrants perishing at sea and increasing the internal security of the EU.

• Member states will interlink and streamline existing surveillance systems and mechanisms.

• EU and member states will improve surveillance tools and sensors (like satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles).

• EU will start talks on the introduction of an entry/exit system for third country nationals and on changing visas to electronic authorisation requirement.