Author (Corporate) | European Commission: DG Communication |
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Series Title | Statement |
Series Details | STATEMENT/14/259 (27.08.14) |
Publication Date | 27/08/2014 |
Content Type | News, Overview |
Following a meeting between Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Angelino Alfano, Interior Minister of Italy in Brussels on the 27 August 2014, it was announced that the European Commission would launch a new migrant rescue operation ('Frontex plus') in the Mediterranean, as Italy struggled with a surge of migrants trying to reach the continent by boat. Two existing Frontex missions, called Hermes and Aenaes, would be merged together and 'upgraded' to form the new programme. However when speaking to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on the 3 September 2014, Mrs Malmström stressed that Frontex Plus would be complementary to Italy's Mare Nostrum and would not replace it. She was unable to clarify the mission's mandate, operational details, and costs, adding that it required member state resources. According to Christopher Hein, Director of the Italian Refugee Council, plans to restrict Frontex operations to an area close to the Italian coast could jeopardise lives should Italy’s Mare Nostrum be phased out. |
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Source Link | Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-259_en.htm |
Related Links |
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Subject Categories | Justice and Home Affairs |
Countries / Regions | Europe, Italy |