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Roundup: EU migratory policy debate re-launched after shipwreck

Xinhua, April 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Two shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, which caused the death of hundreds of migrants on April 11 and 18, has re-provoked the debate on illegal immigration. Some politicians and experts question the efficiency of the European Union's migration policy.

According to some experts, the two shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, which cost the lives of 400 and at least 700 people, prove the explosion of the current migratory flow to Europe.

Despite the existence of the Frontex (European agency for the management of operational cooperation at the external borders of the member states of the European Union) and the Triton operation, such tragedies are still happening.

"Today, there is an annual increase of 250 percent in illegal immigration. So there should be another migratory policy. There are many inconsistencies in policies implemented today," said Brice Hortefeux, former French minister of immigration.

Frontex statistics showed illegal entries into the EU rose from 90,924 cases (in 2012 and 2013) to 230,901 cases (in 2013 and 2014), which is a 153 percent increase.

The number of the apprehended stowaways increased 31 percent from 7,137 to 9,376 people in the same period.

Former Italian minister of immigration Cecile Kyenge, deplored the absence of a "clear policy" and the lack of coordination between member countries of the EU facing illegal immigration.

"The EU should have a policy that is rather clear to all 28 member countries. From now on, we should understand that the external borders of the EU belong to the whole EU, not only to Italy," said Kyenge, adding that "it's time to start a real political integration in the EU, so all the member countries and sit together to find a solution to every problem, as to the one of immigration."

In the fight against illegal immigration, some EU countries such as France and Spain signed agreements with countries, especially those of sub-Saharan Africa, in 2006. These agreements aim to organize a consistent management of migratory flow from the countries of origin.

But for Frontex and Triton, the migratory flow control is not successfully stopping waves of immigration.

"These agreements alone are not enough to regulate the complex phenomenon of illegal immigration," Mamadou Deme, sociologist in immigration, told Xinhua.

The Sub-Saharan signatories do not have the means to ensure the agreements and stop their young citizens from leaving, added Deme.

As a result, an agency like Frontex is not prepared to face the massive number of migrants to Europe.

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi have called for an urgent EU summit meeting on Monday in order to seek solution to the dire situation after the worst disaster in recent years occurred in the Mediterranean.

Only 28 migrants out of at least 700 seem to have survived after their boat capsized some 130 miles south of Lampedusa on Saturday night, following another tragedy during which about 400 migrants drowned. Endit