Mediterranean, European sea ” “

The Mediterranean-emergency calls Europe into question. The Triton operation coordinated by Frontex – European Union agency for the control of external borders – has become operative as of November 1: on an area 30 thousand miles of Italian shores are involved a helicopter, 4 airplanes, 4 patrol vessels, 1 coastal patrol vessel, 2 patrol boats, and 65 people from 21 European countries, for a monthly expenditure of 2.9 million euro – from the internal Security Fund and Frontex (whose budget the European Parliament and EU Council are called to increase in 2015 so that the operation may continue). Borders and rights. Triton encompasses three operations: Mare Nostrum (Italy), Hermes and Aeneas (European, coordinated by Frontex but under Italian jurisdiction). Rome Interiors Ministry Angelino Alfano explained that it consists in “supervision of the maritime borders”.For her part, Commissioner for Home Affairs in the Barroso Commission, Cecilia Malmström (who left the post with the launch of the new Commission Juncker on November 1, to accept Trade portfolio) specified that Triton will function “in full respect of the rights of migrants and the principle of non-refoulement, which does not allow the forced repatriation” of people “crossing the Mediterranean in the desperate search for a dignified life”. Reception responsibility. The Mare Nostrum operation will still last for approximately two months, after having saved over 100 thousand people. In the European seat, Italy was acknowledged its burdensome efforts, with 558 rescue operations and actions against human trafficking carried out in a year, with the arrest of 789 traffickers. This has required the use of one thousand sailors, police and Tax Police officers, means of all Italian military and law-enforcement forces, of the Harbour, the Red Cross. It is equally important to mention the immense task of providing immediate reception to migrants, most of whom are deported to centers located in southern Italy; other migrants landed on Italian shores were “divided” between Central and northern regions of Italian, while smaller numbers have been transferred to other EU Countries. The commitment of Caritas, dioceses, Catholic volunteering, to this regard is crucial. International obligations. Triton is therefore the tool activated by the European Commission for the Mediterranean, “a European sea, under Europe’s responsibility”, declared once again Cecilia Malmström. It is not an alternative, rather “it is an important tool that complements the efforts of Italian authorities”.”It is clear that the Triton operation cannot and will not replace Mare Nostrum”, the Commissioner went on. “Triton will not affect the responsibilities of Italy in controlling its part of the EU’s external borders, and the obligations to the search and rescue of people in need” in compliance with international and Community regulations. Mare Nostrum patrolled the seas up to the limits of Libyan territorial waters, which most vessels let from. Hanging issues. Minister Alfano for the moment has not clarified who in Italy will respond to these obligations from now on. If Triton is a sea patrolling service, with no means and targeted at “trying to save” people, which Mare Nostrum envisaged, what will happen to the ever more rickety vessels carrying increasing numbers of desperate people in search of a future? In general it happens that in winter months traffickers decrease the departures of their “floating dumps” – owing to extreme cold weather and bad sea conditions – and therefore the emergency should decrease. What will happen in Spring? The protests and objections advanced by humanitarian organizations, MEPs and political forces are not ungrounded. “Neighbours”.Triton, “the largest marine operation” of Frontex ever, starts with a set of question marks. Perhaps, motivated by “self-defence” it strengthens its external borders. This European Union, hindered by divisions in its 28 Member Countries, has not yet managed to solve the problem of how to carry out “full implementation of the common European asylum system”, Malmström denounced. This Europe has also failed to develop a common foreign policy that would confer international relevance, thereby enabling constructive communication with its many “neighbours” where democracy and human rights are still a mirage.