Member states of the European Union face a growing number of irregular migrants attempting to cross the Unions maritime border in the Mediterranean. An illegal transfer route there allows tens of thousands to enter the EU, mostly from Africa and Asia. The southern EU states of Italy, Malta, Greece and Spain cope with the problem with increasing difficulty. Their border enforcement authorities are to be aided by EUs specialized Rapid Border Intervention Teams (RABITs). The task of coordinating the measures lies ahead of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex), based in Warsaw. Frontex began its operations in October 2005. The European Parliament took position on the issue irregular migration in the Mediterranean and called upon the Commission and the Council to strengthen the efforts against human trafficking and smuggling. The problem has also been addressed by European Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the Regions.