On Tuesday 30 August, the European Commission pointed out that the saving of life at sea and the prevention of shipwrecks is one of its major priorities, following the rescue by the Italian authorities on Monday 29 August of 6,500 distressed migrants off the coast of Libya. But the Commission also pointed out that the 2016 figures are down on those for 2015. AFP press agency notes that the operational centre has managed 40 rescue operations in this zone, carried out by coastguard vessels and the Italian navy, the Irish navy, the Sophia operation, the European Frontex agency and humanitarian organisations.
The Commission says that 105,663 migrants arrived at the Italian coastline on 29 August 2016, down more than 8% on the same period in 2015. The institution adds that it closely monitors this route and, along with European agencies, "does its best to support Italy."
The head of Frontex, Fabrice Leggeri, warned in an interview with Die Welt on 29 August that migrants were finding new routes to reach the EU, such as via Bulgaria. The Commission said on Tuesday 30 August that it was ready to help Bulgaria too.
No sign of reduced numbers in the Aegean
The Commission says it has not received any information from Frontex about claims that the Turkish authorities have relaxed application of the 18 March EU-Turkey agreement that is expected to prevent migrants from reaching the coast of Europe.
On Monday 29 August, the numbers of migrants arriving at Greek islands was higher than those registered in previous days, overshooting the 300 mark, compared with the previous average of 92 a day. The number of arrivals each day in August stands at 112, including arrivals over the past few days, explains the Commission.
During the first months of 2016, some 2,000 migrants arrived each day, and at the height of summer 2015, up to 10,000 migrants were arriving each day, according to the Commission. The Commission says it goes without saying that it is continuing to monitor the situation, but according to Frontex’s analysis, there is no sign of any change in the measures taken by the Turkish authorities. The Commission says the recent hike in arrivals is mainly due to the apparent change in the way migrants are operating and also seasonal effects. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)