Confidential documents obtained by the Guardian have revealed that the EU is considering proposals to outsource Mediterranean migrant patrols offshore to North African countries.

The Italian government has put forward plans to reach agreements with nations such as Egypt and Tunisia, which would see EU funding and training of foreign navies, who would assume control of search-and-rescue missions for the tens of thousands of migrants who make the perilous Mediterranean crossing.

Speaking to the Guardian, William Spindler, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said: “Given the situation in the Mediterranean, we need to explore all the available options. But it’s not a fully developed plan. Some countries are very reticent.”

The European Commission is set to produce a new policy blueprint on the migration issues facing the EU in May.

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