Italy pushes ‘Frontex Plus’ to tackle migration crisis

Speaking in Rome on the 4 July 2014 to launch the Italian EU Presidency, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi vowed to push for a reinforcement of the border control agency and turn it into Frontex Plus.

This position was part of Italy's move to push the migratory issue up the political agenda during its presidency of the EU. On the first weekend of July 2014, the country saved more than 2,600 migrants in separate missions of Italy’s “Mare Nostrum” surge and rescue operation.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: More EU aid possible amid Italian threat to stop migrant rescues http://www.europeansources.info/record/more-eu-aid-possible-amid-italian-threat-to-stop-migrant-rescues/

ESO: Background information: Italy: EU Presidency, July - December 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/italy-eu-presidency-july-december-2014/

Euronews, 07.07.14: Italy says it rescued more than 2,600 boat migrants over weekend http://www.euronews.com/2014/07/07/italy-says-it-rescued-more-than-2600-boat-migrants-over-weekend/

EurActiv, 08.07.14: Italy in talks with EU to share responsibility for boat migrants http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-priorities-2020/italy-talks-eu-share-responsibility-boat-migrants-303366

Deutsche Welle, 08.07.14: Growing refugee numbers call for EU solidarity http://dw.de/p/1CYNt

Deutsche Welle, 11.07.14: Maiziere: EU must help refugees at the source http://dw.de/p/1CZhQ

BBC News, 19.07.14: Italy migrants: Nineteen 'suffocate' aboard boat from Africa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28383622

EurActiv, 22.07.14: Italy rescues 1,800 migrants over the weekend http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/italy-rescues-1800-migrants-over-weekend-303618

Euronews, 21.07.14: Fatalities at sea as migrants heading for Italy ‘suffocate’ http://www.euronews.com/2014/07/21/fatalities-at-sea-as-migrants-heading-for-italy-suffocate/

La Libre Belgique, 11.08.14: Europe's immigration policy a failure (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE148342-Europe-s-immigration-policy-a-failure

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