Italy's Mare Nostrum migrant
search-and-rescue operation will be replaced by an expanded
version of European Union border control agency Frontex,
Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Wednesday after meeting
with EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom.
"Mare Nostrum will be replaced by Frontex Plus, which will
merge and expand existing operations," the minister said.
"As well, human traffickers' vessels will be destroyed so
they can't be reused," Alfano added.
Italy set up Mare Nostrum in October 2013 after 400 people
perished in two migrant boat disasters off the coast of Sicily.
The operation costs nine million euros a month, taking up
the bulk of the Navy's budget. Italy has been calling for the EU
to step in to shoulder some of the burden.
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