EU leaders reach agreement on border and coast guard

The European Union’s leaders have agreed on a proposed law for a European Border and Coast Guard after agreement was reached with MEPs.

The regulation will be submitted to the European Parliament for a vote at first reading, and to the Council for adoption.

Klaas Dijkhoff, Minister for Migration of the Netherlands and President of the Council welcomed the agreement: “We urgently need an European Border and Coast Guard to strengthen our joined external borders in a structural way. With better border controls we have more control over migration streams and we enlarge the safety of our citizens. I'm satisfied that the member states and the European Parliament have made an effort to make sure that the European Border and Coast Guard can start as soon as possible.”

The European Border and Coast Guard will be tasked with the management of migrant crossings at the EU’s borders as well as ensure security, safeguard internal free movement and the respect fundamental rights.

The coast guard will take over from the Frontex border agency with expanded tasks, as well as include national authorities responsible for border management. The renewed agency will carry out the operational strategy for the European integrated border management.

The coast guard will also organise joint operations and rapid border interventions to reinforce the capacity of the member states and face challenges at the borders resulting from illegal immigration or cross-border crime.

There will also be a mandatory pooling of human resources with a rapid reserve pool of at least 1,500 border guards.