European Presidency: Winter Weather and Record Levels

european presidency: About 4,500 died or disappeared, according to The Waterloo Record. Hundreds already have taken to the sea this month, braving the winter weather. More than 181,000 people, most so-called economic migrants with little chance of being allowed to stay in Europe, attempted to cross the central Mediterranean last year from Libya, Africa's nearest stretch of coast to Italy. In the latest reminder of the journey's perils, more than 100 people were missing off Libya's coast over the weekend after a migrant boat sunk. Come next spring, the number of people crossing over the Mediterranean will reach record levels, Malta Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, whose country holds the European Union's presidency, predicted. Some European leaders are warning of a fresh migration crisis when sea waters warm again and more people choose to put their lives in the hands of smugglers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.