In a debate about the immigration emergency crisis which is going on in the South Mediterranean held at the European Parliament Plenary session, MEPs stressed that based on the principle of solidarity, EU Member States should provide immediate assistance and share the burden with Italy and the other countries affected by an extraordinary flow of immigrants from Northern Africa. For that reason, Commissioner Malmström, ensured that the EU will provide support to Italian authorities further to the request for assistance sent to FRONTEX on 15 February.

Commissioner Malmström assured that exceptional financial assistance to the Italian government will be provided and proposed a joint operation by FRONTEX to be deployed in Lampedusa. MEPs also stressed the need for the EU to assist Tunisia to ensure social, economic and political development.

The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders (FRONTEX) has been monitoring closely the situation in North Africa and its effects on migratory trends during some weeks and will continue to update the situational picture at the EU external borders as it develops. As highlighted by the Agency, planning has been ongoing for several days for a potential response to the situation and will now focus more specifically on Italy’s concrete operational requirements.

On 15 February, FRONTEX received a formal request for assistance from the Italian Ministry of Interior regarding the extraordinary migratory situation in the Pelagic Islands. The Italian Government requested assistance in strengthening the surveillance of the EU’s external borders in the form of a Joint Operation. In addition, Italy requested a targeted risk analysis on the possible future scenarios of increased migratory pressure in the region in the light of recent political developments in North Africa and the possibility of the opening up of a further migratory front in the Central Mediterranean area.

The Agency foresees that its main role will be to coordinate border guards from among the Member States, particularly with regard to second-line experts in the screening and debriefing of irregular migrants as well as in coordinating an appropriate operational response to the humanitarian needs in the area. FRONTEX will also investigate the most optimal means by which to adapt a range of technical assets engaged in Sea Border Operations in the Mediterranean to the needs of the Italian authorities.

Although sometimes criticized by several Members, FRONTEX has been recently active in deploying instruments in order to protect EU borders, such as it has been the case with the deployment of the first Rapid Border Intervention Teams (RABITS) after Greek request for assistance due to very significant increase on the number of irregular migrants crossing the border.