BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission on Monday presented a 20-point action plan to tackle the surge in migrant arrivals across the Mediterranean.
More than 90,000 migrants have arrived in the European Union this year by crossing the sea from the coasts of North African countries to Italy or Malta, an increase of 50% compared to 2021.
The interior ministers of the 27 must meet urgently on Friday.
The Brussels plan aims to strengthen cooperation with third countries, including measures to prevent departures from North Africa, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson told a press conference.
According to the EU executive, most migrants leave the coasts of Libya and Tunisia, mainly from Egypt, Tunisia and Bangladesh.
The EU plans to spend €580 million between 2021 and 2023 to support North African countries and help boost economic growth and jobs in the region.
Tensions rose a notch at the beginning of the month between France and Italy after Rome’s refusal to welcome the humanitarian ship “Ocean Viking”, which finally docked at the military port of Toulon (Var) with 234 migrants. on board.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi called the proposal a “good start”, welcoming the emphasis on increased cooperation with countries of origin and transit and better coordination of rescue at sea activities.
Ylva Johansson said that Brussels must strengthen the coordination of search and rescue activities, in particular between coastal States and flag States – those which have registered the ships – while stressing that assistance to people in distress at sea is a legal obligation.
She also highlighted the European agreement reached last June on a system of voluntary relocation of migrants and the financial contributions of the countries of the bloc which are not in the front line to manage irregular arrivals on EU territory.
(Report Philip Blenkinsop; with the contribution of Alvise Armellini in Rome; French version Diana Mandiá, edited by Blandine Hénault)
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