Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — The European Union wants to increase maritime security patrols to stop the flow of migrants from the Middle East.

The EU has been mulling plans to expand maritime operations that would prevent migrant ships from reaching Europe. Officials said the operations would also respond to the sinking of migrant vessels, most of them deemed
not sea-worthy.

“We need also to strengthen our capacity for search-and-rescue, and our surveillance system to track boats, so that we can launch a rescue operation and bring people back to safe grounds before they perish,” European Commission President Jose Barroso said.

On Oct. 3, a boat with 500 African migrants capsized near the Italian island of Lampedusa. At least 270 people were confirmed dead.

“I think the kind of tragedy we have witnessed here so close to the coast should never happen again,” Barroso said on Oct. 9. “Our initiative Eurosu is meant to do that, and we want to see it put into action already on the 2nd of December.”

Officials said the 28 members of the EU have agreed to bolster the Frontex border protection agency. They said the EU was considering expanding Frontex operations throughout the Mediterranean.

“The European institutions do not have airplanes: we do not have ships;
we do not have these means,” Barroso said. “But I believe through good
cooperation between our member states much more can be achieved, showing
also solidarity towards those most exposed.”

The EU has sought to bolster the maritime capabilities of such North
African states as Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. So far, Rabat has been the
only one to have signed a so-called mobility partnership for legal
migration.

“We hope to do that also with other countries and asking them to
cooperate,” Barroso said.

On Oct. 8, EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said Frontex was studying a
plan to expand SAR operations from Spain to Cyprus. Ms. Malmstrom said
details of the proposal have not been finalized.

  European Union, Frontex, Influx of African migrants by sea spurs EU to expand maritime security, Jose Barroso, Lampedusa