Brussels, 05/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - Simon Busuttil, MEP (EPP-ED, Malta) confirmed on Wednesday 3 October that the European Parliament's budgetary committee had voted that day in favour of doubling the budget of the European border agency, Frontex, compared to 2007, i.e. a total of a little over €70 million for the year 2008. Busuttil, who had put the proposal forward on behalf of his group, welcomed this “political signal” sent to Malta and the other member states of the southern Mediterranean, that have to face constant arrivals of illegal immigrants along their coasts. “Our aim is to increase the duration of Frontex operations in the Mediterranean and to provide an answer to the seasonal peak in immigration from May to October”, the MEP said in a press release. According to Mr Busuttil, the budgetary committee has nonetheless decided to vote in favour of freezing one third of the Agency's administrative budget until it has gained in efficiency, which largely depends on States' participation in missions and the means implemented by these States as part of the “tool box” (boats, aircraft, equipment, etc.). (bc)