Members of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) could soon be at the borders of the countries of the Western Balkans and help manage migration in the region.
The European Commission adopted the recommendation of the Council of the EU to approve the opening of negotiations on improved agreements on the status of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency with the four countries of the Western Balkans.
"We are committed to supporting the region and strengthening cooperation in migration management on the ground. We propose to negotiate status agreements under a new legal framework that would allow Frontex to be deployed in all four partner countries with the full strength of its mandate, to ensure that their borders continue to be respected and protected by best European standards and practices ", said European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Ilva Johansson.
The approval refers to the borders between the EU and Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the existing agreements, the permanent corps deployment can only occur at the borders of EU countries and without executive powers.
The new agreements, however, will allow a permanent Frontex corps to be deployed in a third country, at the border of the EU, and at borders with third countries, with enforcement powers.
The Commission, with the support of Frontex, will strengthen the capacities of the countries of the Western Balkans in their management of migration, the fight against smuggling and ensuring security.
A new aid package and additional funds are planned
The European Union also approved a new aid package for the region in the amount of 39.2 million euros to strengthen border management, the European Foreign Policy Service announced.
The EEAS statement explains that this support is aimed at regional border management capacities mainly through the provision of specialized equipment.
These include mobile surveillance systems, drones, biometric devices, training and support for establishing and operationalising national coordination centres. Support also covers the operationalization of migration facilities, including reception and detention facilities.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelji stated that migration is an area in which even closer cooperation of the EU with the countries of the Western Balkans is needed.
"Given that migration, pressure has increased in the region, we are focusing on strengthening border protection, combating smuggling networks and encouraging return from the region. To that end, we will provide increased political and financial assistance. Between 2021 and 2024, we intend to increase our financing by a total of 60 per cent, to at least 350 million euros for our partners from the Western Balkans," said Varhelji.
The European Commissioner added that the EU will support the Western Balkans in all areas of developing an efficient migration management system, including asylum and reception, border security and return, but also that the EU is counting on the commitment of partners from the Western Balkans to make these actions successful.
So far, including the new aid package, the European Union has helped the region with more than 171.7 million euros in the area of migration management.