On Friday, Frontex, the European agency responsible for monitoring the Schengen area's external borders, welcomed the decision taken by the emergency summit of the EU to increase the resources committed to measures in the Mediterranean. On Thursday, European leaders decided to treble the budget allocated to the Triton operation for surveillance and rescue at sea being conducted by Frontex. This budget currently stands at 3 million euros a month. "I am delighted to announce that the figure promised exceeds our expectations and these resources will help us expand our operations in the Mediterranean. We intend to step up our efforts to preventing future tragedies," said Executive Director of Frontex, Fabrice Leggeri, in a statement published on the agency's website.
With its HQ in Warsaw, Frontex also thanked the EU Member States for their pledges of additional ships and aircraft. The agency has announced it will be meeting with the European Commission and the authorities of the countries concerned in the coming days.
(Source: Belga)
