EU: The EU should create a rapid-response force of border guards who can be sent to member states to help cope with sudden influxes of illegal migrants, the European Commission said yesterday.
The proposal, which applies only to members of the Schengen group, of which Ireland and Britain are not part, comes after Spain's Canary Islands and Malta asked other EU states for boats and experts to help them deal with a rising number of illegal arrivals aboard rickety boats.
More than 10,000 migrants have arrived in the Canaries so far this year, more than twice the figure for the whole of 2005.
"Our plan is to have at our disposal, at the disposal of Frontex (the EU's border agency) . . . a permanent team of about 250-300 people from member states, which would be able to intervene very quickly," EU justice commissioner Franco Frattini said.
Under the proposal, border guards could assist by checking travel documents and searching vehicles, as well as by taking part in sea patrols, stopping illegal crossings and interviewing migrants.
The proposal needs the approval of EU ministers and MEPs.