As the situation in the Mediterranean continues to unfold, the European Union has started a war against smugglers in Libya who are exploiting people onto a dangerous journey, resulting in hundreds of lives lost at sea.
Addressing a press conference at Castille, EU Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos said that action needs to be taken immediately, with no further waiting.
"These people took on this journey to escape war and with the prospect of a better life. But one more life lost is one too many. The situation has to take action now, and we will take action now. Europe is declaring war on smugglers, and the union will collaborate with international partners.
"Malta stands at the front of this issue. The republic of Malta expects us to provide an immediate effective response to the crisis. Unity and solidarity is a must, given this is an international issue. We will not wait for boat and after boat of exploited people. Europe is already at war," he said.
"Looking beyond the immediate operation response, we need to admit that the migration issue will not disappear any time soon. And therefore, a structural and permanent solution is needed."
Asked by The Malta Independent whether the budget and resources for Frontex will be increased, the Commissioner said that resources will be doubled.
Italian’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Angelino Alfano said that the scenes from the interfaith ceremony held yesterday morning were a punch to the stomach to those who are indifferent and a blow to the conscience of those who acted as if nothing happened.
“The European Union has finally woken up and realised that this is not a problem only for Italy, Malta and Greece, but rather a European and international issue.”
The Italian Deputy Prime Minister praised the strategy outlined by the European Commission, claiming it sends a strong message that the European Union will welcome the vulnerable while fighting smugglers, who he described as the ‘slavers of the 21st century running the most macabre travel agency in the world.’
Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech said that this meeting will be meaningless if no action is taken. "We can no longer remain passive. The European Union needs to take the political ownership. This problem was not created with this tragic event, and there is no option of passivity for this particular case. This is not an issue of the Mediterranean, it is a European and International Issue," he said.
Heads of states will be meeting this afternoon to agree on the financial and human resources needed to implement the action plan.