Brussels, 03/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - The number of illegal immigrants intercepted on the borders of the European Union has fallen considerably since the beginning of the year due to the economic crisis, the deputy director of Frontex, Gil Arias Fernandez, announced at the end of October. A total of 51,600 illegal immigrants were intercepted on the land and sea borders of the EU over the first six months of the year, which constitutes a 17% drop compared to the same period in 2008, he told a press conference in Madrid.
The Frontex deputy said that this reduction could be put down, amongst other things, to the economic crisis, which reduces both the prospects of finding a job in Europe in the eyes of potential immigrants, and their own ability to fund the trip. However, he warned that an upturn in illegal immigration is likely once the economic situation recovers. Greece tops the list of the countries which intercepted the highest number of illegal immigrants since the beginning of the year, with 70% of the total, followed by Italy (13%) and Spain (around 9%), said Mr Fernandez. Arrivals of illegal immigrants by sea have fallen considerably in Spain and Italy since the beginning of the year. He reported that this reduction can be explained partly by the efforts made by Frontex and the Spanish civil guard, and by Spain's cooperation with countries of origin such as Mauritania and Senegal. A parallel can also be found with cooperation between Italy and Libya. On the other hand, arrivals of illegal immigrants have increased sharply, rising from 9,500 in the first six months of 2008 to 14,000 between January and June, due to an increasing influx of Afghan and Somali nationals. Mr Fernandez contributed this increase to a lack of cooperation on Turkey's part. These figures do not take account of people turned back at airports. (B.C./trans.fl)