EU holds emergency summit on immigration issue.

One topic discussed was the destruction of sites and docks used by human trafficking groups to smuggle illegal immigrants into Europe.

Leaders from the 28 member states of the European Union (EU) held an extraordinary summit today (April 23) to discuss the pressing issue of immigration in the Mediterranean.

Illegal immigrants crossing into Europe (photo: Telegraph)

The extraordinary summit opened today, April 23rd, in Brussels, five days after the tragic sinking of a ship that killed nearly 900 illegal immigrants from North Africa in the Mediterranean Sea last weekend. This tragedy has drawn strong criticism of the EU and forced the group of 28 countries to make major changes to their immigration and asylum policies.

Review the Triton program.

The most important item on the agenda of this extraordinary summit will be a review of the “Triton” program for controlling the EU’s external borders. Since its introduction in late 2014 to replace Italy’s “Mare Nostrum” program, “Triton” has been heavily criticized for its ineffectiveness due to poor equipment and limited operating funds.

Compared to "Mare Nostrum," Triton's operating budget is only one-third, at 3 million euros per month compared to "Mare Nostrum's" 9 million euros. In terms of personnel, "Triton" is also only one-tenth the size of "Mare Nostrum," and most importantly, in terms of operational objectives, "Triton" prioritizes monitoring the Mediterranean Sea rather than rescue operations.

For these reasons, the "Triton" was heavily criticized and seen as evidence that EU countries valued saving money more than human lives.

Following the tragedy that claimed the lives of nearly 900 people, EU leaders are expected to fundamentally change the "Triton" program, increasing its budget, personnel, and rescue capabilities.

New action plan

A 10-point action plan will also be discussed, which includes:

+ Destroy the sites and docks used by human trafficking groups to smuggle illegal immigrants into Europe.

+ Enhance coordination among customs, coast guard, European police, and intelligence agencies to exchange information on methods used to smuggle illegal immigrants into Europe.

+ Establish European Migration Offices in countries such as Italy and Greece to help manage asylum applications.

+ Establish an electronic identity management system for all immigrants entering Europe.

+ Distribute asylum seekers among member states in a more appropriate proportion.

+ Implement a program to quickly deport immigrants who do not qualify for asylum back to their country of origin.

+ Coordinate with North African countries such as Libya to block illegal immigration routes to Europe.

According to VOV