Brussels, 26/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 25 February, the European home affairs ministers adopted a raft of proposals to step up the fight against illegal immigrants arriving on the territory of the Union. By initiative of France, the "29 measures to reinforce the protection of the external borders and to fight illegal immigration" were enshrined by the ministers, meeting in Brussels.
"I am delighted that we managed to reach a consensus of all of the European ministers to adopt the roadmap proposed by France", said French Minister for Immigration Eric Besson (our translation). "All of the European ministers have undertaken to apply a working programme to set in place what will, de facto, constitute a proper European border police", he added.
The proposals, which take the form of Council conclusions, relate to reinforcing the activities of the European External Borders Agency (Frontex), developing the European External Border Surveillance System (Eurosur), the fight against illegal immigration networks and trafficking in human beings, solidarity, the integrated management of the external borders and cooperation with third countries. As regards reinforcing Frontex, the document pleads for the development of joint returns flights organised and co-funded by the Agency. "From now on, Frontex may even be able to buy or hire aircraft in order to carry out these flights", the minister said. The Agency is also called upon to set in place, as quickly as possible this year, a specialised bureau in Piraeus (Greece) and a decision may be made to pursue similar pilot projects in other regions. The member states have also undertaken to set in place an "Erasmus" training programme for European border guards, in order to promote common practices.
In parallel to the adoption of these conclusions, Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström presented the member states with her draft revision of the regulation instituting Frontex, which the ministers hope to adopt before the end of the year. This proposal provides, amongst other things, for an obligation upon the member states to provide equipment pledged by the member states (EUROPE 10085). Lastly, the Council adopted its position on the regulation establishing a European Asylum Support Office, and on the proposal for this to be headquartered in Valletta. The Parliament may vote on the compromise text during its March plenary session. (B.C./transl.fl)