Frontex concluded talks with the Italian authorities on September 24, 2014 concerning the launch of a new joint operation in Italy.
Due to the extremely high migratory pressure Italy is currently subject to, Frontex will launch a new operation in the Central Mediterranean area. Codenamed Triton, the operation will cover the maritime area south of Sicily and the Pelagic islands as well as the coastal areas around Calabria, southern Italy.
Having defined the technical requirements, Frontex has sent a request to all member states of the European Union to contribute the necessary equipment — including aircraft and a variety of patrol vessels — to support the Italian authorities in border-control activities in the Mediterranean.
Frontex will also contact the European Commission with a request for funding of the operation.
While saving lives is an absolute priority in in all maritime operations coordinated by Frontex, the focus of Joint Operation Triton will be primarily border management.
