The European Union (EU) is to set up a new border and coastguard agency to help its member states cope with the high levels ofinward migration,including manyrefugees and migrants seeking to enter Europe across the Mediterranean sea in unregulated and unseaworthy vessels.
The proposal is for aforce of 1.500 coastguards to work as a"safety net".The European Parliament agreed to the measure the day after 4.500 people were rescued from boats by the italian authorities as they were making their way from libya.some EU goverments have critised the proposal as it would allow the force to intervene if approved by the European Council,even if the state did not request help in managing is borders.
Although high numbers of migrants are continuing to arrive in Europe by sea,with tragic drowings and loss of life being the risk for many,the total numbers is down this year,with more than 231,000 migrantsbarriving so far compared with just over one milion.
The proposal is for aforce of 1.500 coastguards to work as a"safety net".The European Parliament agreed to the measure the day after 4.500 people were rescued from boats by the italian authorities as they were making their way from libya.some EU goverments have critised the proposal as it would allow the force to intervene if approved by the European Council,even if the state did not request help in managing is borders.
Although high numbers of migrants are continuing to arrive in Europe by sea,with tragic drowings and loss of life being the risk for many,the total numbers is down this year,with more than 231,000 migrantsbarriving so far compared with just over one milion.
