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EU to bolster sea border, target migrant smugglers

PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp 24.04.2015 12:28
The European Union is to combat migrant smugglers, with EU leaders also pledging more funds for the bloc’s maritime surveillance mission, Triton.
 President of the European Council Donald Tusk arrives at an EU Summit in Brussels, Belgium, 23.04.2015. Photo: PAP/EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ President of the European Council Donald Tusk arrives at an EU Summit in Brussels, Belgium, 23.04.2015. Photo: PAP/EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

At Thursday’s summit in Brussels, European Council president Donald Tusk said that saving lives was a priority, but the real core of the problem was with illegal migrant smugglers.

“Europe did not cause this tragedy,” European Council president Donald Tusk said, adding, however, that “this doesn’t mean we can be indifferent”.

EU leaders pledged to triple funding for the EU’s Triton search and rescue operations, with funding to reach EUR 120 million, a level last seen with Italy’s Mare Nostrum surveillance mission before it was scrapped last year.

Council President Tusk also highlighted that more decisive actions were needed to root out the cause of the wave of migrants, namely addressing the problem of migrant smugglers.

“Leaders have asked the High Representative [Federica Mogherini] to propose actions in order to capture and destroy the smugglers’ vessels before they can be used,” Tusk said, underlining that this would be done in accordance with international law.

It is estimated that some 35,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe so far this year, with some 1,750 people dying while attempting the sea crossing.

Meanwhile, government spokeswoman Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska told Polish Radio on Friday morning that the summit exposed the gravity of issue, although highlighted that the EU is able to act in solidarity to combat the problem.

“No one simple solution was found at yesterday’s summit. […] We have to act in solidarity in this issue, and this is Europe’s strength, that we will show our support in this situation, and with regards to Ukrainian refugees, [Poland] can also count on Europe’s help,” she said.

Following the summit, Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz also announced that Poland will be able to send 10 to 15 Border Guard officers to assist with ongoing efforts. (jb)

Source: IAR/PAP/BBC/EU Observer

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