Press Release: European Commission stands by Italy on coping with migratory pressure on Lampedusa

In response to an urgent request from Italy, the European Commission announced on the 19 February 2015 that it was stepping up its assistance to Italy with an extention of the Frontex Joint Operation Triton until at least the end of 2015. Additionally, the European Commission awarded an amount of €13.7m in emergency funding from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to Italy and announced it was ready to react quickly to any Italian request to increase the resources of Joint Operation Triton.

To help Member States prepare for potentially continued high pressure given the ongoing instability in some countries in the Mediterranean neighbourhood, the European Commission announced it was stepping up its surveillance of the implementation of the recommendations of the Mediterranean Task Force.

ESO: Background information: Commissioner Malmstrom welcomes the launch of the Triton operation http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-commissioner-malmstrom-welcomes-the-launch-of-the-triton-operation/

ESO: Background Information: EU Funds for asylum, migration and borders http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-funds-for-asylum-migration-and-borders/

ESO: Background Information: Operation Triton - Winter developments, December 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/operation-triton-winter-developments-december-2014/

ESO: Background information: Italy and Malta rescue more than 2,000 migrants off Libyan coast http://www.europeansources.info/record/italy-and-malta-rescue-more-than-2000-migrants-off-libyan-coast/

ESO: Key source: European Asylum Support Office (EASO) http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-asylum-support-office-easo/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: SPEECH/15/4455, 19.02.15: Migration: a joint European responsibility http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-15-4455_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-high-representative-vice-president-federica-mogherini-on-the-beheading-of-21-egyptian-coptic-christians-in-libya/

Deutsche Welle, 19.02.15: EU offers funds, prolongs mission to help Italy cope with migrants http://dw.de/p/1Eej3

The Local.it, 19.02.15: EU to increase migrant aid to Italy http://www.thelocal.it/20150219/eu-boosts-italy-migrant-aid

UNHCR: News stories, 12.02.15: UNHCR calls for more robust search-and-rescue operation on Mediterranean http://www.unhcr.org/54dc8dc59.html

La Vanguardia, 20.02.15: EU needs coordinated refugee policy (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE158745-EU-needs-coordinated-refugee-policy

Euronews, 19.02.15: EU extends Mediterranean rescue mission until 2015 http://www.euronews.com/2015/02/19/eu-extends-mediterranean-rescue-mission-until-2015/

BBC News, 12.03.15: EU seeks solutions to its Mediterranean crisis http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31844802

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

---