Commission hits back at immigration critics

The European Commission has sought to counter criticisms of its handling of the immigration influx into southern EU states by announcing the creation of a group of commissioners to shape future policy.

Franco Frattini, commissioner for justice, freedom and security, announced the setting up of the group, which he will chair and which will be composed of five other relevant commissioners, during a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday (30 August) with the Spanish Deputy Prime Minister, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega.

He also announced four new sources of funding from January 2007 for countries affected by the immigration influxes - the European Integration Fund, the European Return Fund, the European Refugee Fund and the European External Border Management Fund. Some €6 billion was allocated last year to immigration, integration and border control funds for the period 2007-13, a spokes-man said.

Spain in particular has expressed frustration with the EU’s response. During a visit this week to Finland, the current holder of the EU’s rotating presidency, Fernández de la Vega spoke of Spain’s "disappointment" over "the lack of flexibility and commitment to respond" to this problem. She added: "The fact that the Frontex measures aren’t working at full capacity is proof that we need more and better co-ordination."

During a press conference with Frattini and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the external relations commissioner, Fernández de la Vega tempered her comments saying she was worried about the slow pace of the response in setting up the Frontex mission and beginning a dialogue with African countries.

Frattini defended the EU’s response saying the Frontex patrolling mission for the Canary Islands, and a planned mission for the Mediterranean, were "pioneer operations".

Fernández de la Vega has proposed a meeting between Mediterranean EU states - Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Slovenia - which would draw up proposals to be presented to government leaders at the European Council in December. She has also suggested that the Frontex mission which will last up to nine weeks should be extended until December.

The European Commission has sought to counter criticisms of its handling of the immigration influx into southern EU states by announcing the creation of a group of commissioners to shape future policy.