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<p>Governments across the EU have been deeply disturbed by the fourfold increase in
deaths since the launch of the 'Mare Nostrum' operation. Efforts to prevent further
deaths in the Mediterranean remain focused on national search and rescue activities
led and coordinated by the appropriate EU Member State National Coordination Centre.
However, Search and Rescue remains outside the competence of the EU or its Agencies,
including Frontex. <br><br>These efforts are supported by the new European Border
Surveillance System (EUROSUR), which was set up to reduce the number of irregular
migrants entering the EU undetected; to reduce the number of deaths at the maritime
borders by saving more lives at sea, and to increase the internal security of the
EU as a whole by contributing to the prevention of cross-border crime. It uses ship
reporting systems, satellite imagery and sensors mounted on vehicles, vessels or other
craft to help build a shared pre-frontier intelligence picture.<br><br>The UK does
not participate in the Eurosur Regulation as that Regulation is limited to the Member
States of the Schengen area. However the UK has negotiated an amendment to the Eurosur
Regulation which permits the UK to cooperate and exchange information with neighbouring
Member States through bilateral or multilateral agreements.</p><p> </p>
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