(ANSA) Brussels, October 7 - The EU Frontex naval Operation
Triton starting next month to support Italy's efforts to cope
with migrations will not substitute the Italian Navy's Mare
Nostrum search-and-rescue, European Home Affairs Commissioner
Cecilia Malmstrom said Tuesday.
"Triton can't substitute Mare Nostrum," she said, "In any
case the future of Mare Nostrum remains an Italian decision".
"Italy has done a formidable job with Mare Nostrum helping
thousands and thousands of refugees who risked their lives
trying to cross the Mediterranean on flimsy boats," Malmstrom
said.
Triton "will not influence the responsibility of member
states for control of their part of the external EU frontiers,"
she added, "or their obligations with regard to research and
saving people in difficulty".
"I am confident Italy will continue to fulfil its European
and international obligations and the European Commission is
ready to continue supplying European assistance for such
initiatives".
Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano has said Mare
Nostrum, which has rescued some 90,000 people, will be wrapped
up shortly.
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