The chairman of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber MEP, has said that as a short-term solution, EU member states are required to foster their efforts with regard to search and rescue operations.

In this regard, Frontex should set up a large scale ‘sea surveillance programme’ to prevent further casualties. This, however, requires significantly more budget.

"Migration flows are a long-term phenomenon which will be a challenge for us in the upcoming years. As a matter of consequence, Europe must also think about long-term solutions in parallel to short-term action,” he continued.

"We should conclude partnership agreements with North African countries. Europe must help these countries with money and know-how in order to put them in a position to control and secure their external borders,” he concluded.