(ANSAmed) - MADRID, SEPTEMBER 19 - The Seahorse Mediterraneo
project presented Thursday in Madrid is an agreement to bolster
efforts to curb clandestine immigration between Mediterranean
countries and is an extension of the cooperation accord existing
since 2006 between African countries on the Atlantic Ocean
coast. The presentation was by Spain's Guardia Civil chief
Arsenio Fernandez de Mesa.
Approved by the European Commission, the project will develop over the next three years in collaboration with Spain, Italy, France, Malta, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece and Libya, while Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt are expected to become sign on in 2014. The agreement includes the establishment of the Seahorse Mediterranean network, the training of those working in the sector and coast guards and the holding of courses for coast and land border monitoring in Libya and North African countries that join the programme for effective and coordinated efforts against clandestine immigration. The aim is to set up a satellite-based communication network among the countries involved. The project is a continuation of the Seahorse Atlantico programme, which made it possible to diminish migratory pressures via sea from Africa to Europe: a decrease from 31,000 migrants intercepted in 2006 to 332 in 2012. After the presentation of the programme at the Guardia Civil headquarters, a roundtable discussion was held on several aspects of irregular immigration, trafficking and border management. (ANSAmed).
Approved by the European Commission, the project will develop over the next three years in collaboration with Spain, Italy, France, Malta, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece and Libya, while Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt are expected to become sign on in 2014. The agreement includes the establishment of the Seahorse Mediterranean network, the training of those working in the sector and coast guards and the holding of courses for coast and land border monitoring in Libya and North African countries that join the programme for effective and coordinated efforts against clandestine immigration. The aim is to set up a satellite-based communication network among the countries involved. The project is a continuation of the Seahorse Atlantico programme, which made it possible to diminish migratory pressures via sea from Africa to Europe: a decrease from 31,000 migrants intercepted in 2006 to 332 in 2012. After the presentation of the programme at the Guardia Civil headquarters, a roundtable discussion was held on several aspects of irregular immigration, trafficking and border management. (ANSAmed).
