Does Frontex help to protect the Southern borders of the EU? : case study : Malta

Abstract

The research question that I will be attempting to answer through my study is: Does Frontex help to protect the southern borders of the EU? Case Study: Malta. The underlying premise of this study is to analyse how successful Frontex has been in protecting the Southern borders of the EU. I intend to analyse the extent of the success of this agency in fulfilling its aims and protecting the external borders of the EU. I will attempt to achieve this aim through an analysis of the action coordinated by this newly founded EU agency. The problem of irregular immigration in the Maltese islands has been on the increase since 2002. Frontex has been operating in Maltese waters through joint missions since 2006. A case study of the problem in Malta and Frontex action in Maltese waters will help me further substantiate my conclusions on the extent Frontex's success or otherwise, in protecting the southern borders of the European Union from the security threat of irregular immigration.