Brussels, 29/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 29 April, the European Commission regretted the Maltese government's decision of the previous day to pull out of this year's Frontex anti-migration patrols in the Mediterranean. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström described Malta's decision to pull out of the Chronos mission in the Sicily-Malta-Libya strait as “a pity”. “I would like to get to know more about what's behind Malta's decision. I want to know whether this decision is just based on the fact that no illegal immigrants have arrived so far this year or whether this is related to the new guidelines we put in place a week ago”, Malmström said. Malta has decided to no longer take part in Frontex missions, after four consecutive years of participation. Following this decision, the EU external border agency decided to cancel the €9 million operation. The choice of Valletta comes just a few weeks after the EU approved new rules on commitment during maritime operations. The Maltese government, however, pointed out that this was not the reason why it was quitting. It states the decision is based on the fact that, after last year's introduction of joint patrols between Italy and Libya, the number of illegal migrants arriving in Malta had dropped drastically. As long as the joint patrols in Libya's territorial waters remain effective, Malta sees no reason to take part in operations. Between 2008 and 2009, the number of illegal immigrants reaching Malta from Libya almost halved, going from 2,775 to 1,475. Commissioner Malmström is currently making a visit to Italy (Thursday) and Malta (Friday) to talk with officials of these countries on questions of asylum and immigration. (B.C./transl.jl)