The head of the European Commission has announced during a visit to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa that Italy will receive an additional 30 million euros in EU funds to help settle refugees, after the sinking of a migrant boat killed at least 275 people. Jose Manuel Barroso also pledged to work "tirelessly" for an EU-wide asylum policy and to beef up the Frontex border patrol agency to prevent similar tragedies. He visited Lampedusa with Premier Enrico Letta, who announced that the victims of the sinking would receive a state funeral. Some islanders shouted "Shame!" as they arrived. Lampedusans have long complained that they have been forgotten by Italy and the EU and left to cope alone with the thousands of migrants who come ashore each year. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE The head of the European Commission has been heckled by residents of Lampedusa as he arrived to get a first-hand look at the recovery operations for victims of the sunken migrant boat off Sicily that claimed at least 275 lives. The visit Wednesday by Jose Manuel Barroso, accompanied by Italian Premier Enrico Letta, follows agreement by EU interior ministers to strengthen the patrol capabilities of the Frontex border protection force to try to prevent similar tragedies. A handful of Lampedusa residents shouted "shame" as Barosso and Letta arrived at the airport. Islanders have long complained that it has been all but forgotten by Italy and the EU at large, left to cope alone with the thousands of migrants who come ashore each year. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/83598.aspx
