Alarming increase in irregular migrant arrivals over the past year via the central Mediterranean route and action taken by Frontex
30.7.2020
Question for written answer E-004438/2020/rev.1
to the Council
Rule 138
Matteo Adinolfi (ID)
In the first half of 2020, according to data provided by Frontex, the total number of migrants arriving illegally in Europe via the central Mediterranean route was as high as 7 200 (the majority from Tunisia and Bangladesh) – 86 % more than over the same period in 2019.
The increase, according to Frontex sources, is largely due to higher numbers at the start of 2020: this is in sharp contrast to the rest of the EU, which saw a decrease in irregular migrants following the COVID-19 epidemic.
This situation is particularly alarming for Italy, a favourite destination for migrant landings, and also poses a serious risk to public health, due to the continuous arrivals of people who are testing positive for COVID-19 and are therefore infected.
In 2016 Frontex was expanded and strengthened and became the ‘European Border and Coast Guard Agency’.
In view of the above:
- 1.Essentially, the new mandate and increased availability of resources have made Frontex the EU’s operational arm to defend its external borders. In the Council’s view, therefore, what are the reasons for the sharp increase in irregular migrant arrivals in the central Mediterranean, in stark contrast to the rest of the EU?
- 2.What further measures will the Council propose to curb these illegal arrivals and protect the health of EU citizens as well as the EU's borders?