The EU has negotiated five agreements with states in the Balkans that allow Frontex operations on their territories, and most of the agreements have now been approved by both sides. This briefing looks at the main provisions of those agreements, highlights key differences and similarities, and argues that they will likely serve as a template for future deals with states that do not border the EU, as made possible by the 2019 Regulation governing Frontex.
The EU Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya) wants to continue its support for the Libyan coast guard agencies that intercepted almost 3,000 more people at sea in 2020 than in 2019, according to a document obtained by Statewatch.
Two recent Amnesty International reports have highlighted the role played by EU institutions, agencies and member states in facilitating 'pull-backs' by the Libyan Coast Guard (LCG). Amnesty argues that collaboration with the LCG in this way violates international law. In a response to Amnesty, Frontex has avoided any meaningful engagement with the issues raised.
The report gives an overview of Frontex's engagement with non-EU states during 2019 on issues such as surveillance, risk analysis and training. It was circulated to the European Commission, Council of the EU and European Parliament in June 2019.
Frontex has launched its second executive operation in a state outside the EU, deploying officers in Montenegro on 15 July.
On 29 January the civil liberties committee of the European Parliament (LIBE) approved the conclusion of status agreements on the actions on the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) on the territory of two neighbouring non-EU states - Serbia and Montenegro.
The Bosnian Security Minister has reportedly said that "there will be no refugee camps in Bosnia" following a sharp increase in people arriving in the country and hoping to travel onwards to the EU. Meanwhile, the EU is close to finalising an agreement with Albania that would allow the border agency Frontex to intervene on Albanian territory for the purposes of border control and return operations.
Will the deployment of armed European Border and Coast Guard teams in Serbia and Macedonia - with immunity from the civil and criminal law of those countries - improve the chances for protecting the fundamental rights of migrants and refugees, or legitimise the violence and abuse that is currently taking place?
A detailed overview of agreements between the EU's border agency, Frontex, and non-EU states.
Cover Note from Secretary-General of the European Commission, signed by Mr Jordi AYET PUIGARNAU, Director, to Mr Pierre de BOISSIEU, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union (EU doc. no. SEC (2011) 637 final)
Note from Presidency to Standing Committee on operational cooperation on internal security (COSI)
"The Ministers of the Interior of Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Malta have embarked on a common initiative with a view to raise awareness and recommend action in an EU context related to the challenges posed by illegal migration and asylum. Furthermore, they have also highlighted other issues of common interest, convinced that security in the Mediterranean region is directly linked to the security of the European Union as a whole."
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