Call for EU to help stop dangerous migrant boats

By Nathan Morley

Five Mediterranean nations have called for the EU’s border agency Frontex start working inside third countries to stop people traffickers from endangering the lives of migrants on hazardous boat trips.

The problem of rickety, unseaworthy boats packed with migrants has become a serious concern for governments throughout the Mediterranean region.

In a statement issued following a meeting held here in Cyprus, the ministers of the MED-5 group, consisting of Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus -called for a fair approach in negotiations to achieve a “truly common (European) system of asylum and migration management”.

The Cypriot Interior Minister who hosted the meeting, said asylum seekers make up four percent of the islands population.

Meanwhile, a search operation off the coast of two Greek islands has resumed after being postponed due to dangerous weather.

The search follows the sinking of two boats carrying migrants on Wednesday.

On Friday night, rescuers retrieved 18 bodies from waters near the Aegean Island of Lesvos, just off the Turkish coast.

Greece has accused Turkey – from where many boats are launched - of not doing enough to stop human traffickers.