- Europe
- News Desk
- Source: European Commission https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_2260
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday to significantly expand Frontex, the EU's border and coast guard agency, by creating a 30,000-strong standing corps by 2030 and giving it a central role in returning migrants without the right to stay. The plan, announced in Brussels, includes a new European Border and Return Reserve of 17,000 officers and a Quick Reaction Force to respond to border crises.
Key facts
What does the Commission say about the need for change?
- The European Commission proposed increasing Frontex's standing corps to 30,000 officers, including a new European Border and Return Reserve of 17,000.
- Frontex will gain a dedicated Return Coordination Centre and be able to support returns from third countries under agreements.
- A new Quick Reaction Force can be deployed by Frontex's Executive Director at a Member State's request in an emergency.
- The Commission also proposed a regulation to digitalise return, readmission and reintegration procedures, following the new Return Regulation that entered into force on 16 October.
- The proposals build on the 2024-2029 political guidelines and President von der Leyen's State of the Union address.
According to the Commission, illegal border crossings have more than halved over the past two years, and the return rate has risen to over 30 percent. However, the Commission argues that a changed geopolitical and security environment is putting the bloc's external borders under strain, requiring a stronger and more effective European response. Frontex already plays a critical role in supporting Member States in managing the external borders and safeguarding the Schengen area, and the new rules aim to build on that role. How will Frontex be strengthened?
The proposal would gradually increase Frontex's standing corps to 30,000 officers. This includes a new European Border and Return Reserve of 17,000 officers who will remain at the disposal of Member States and can be deployed when needed. This comes in addition to doubling Frontex's own staff and the existing 7,000 staff seconded from Member States.
Frontex will also have easier access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology. It will be able to acquire, lease and co-own equipment and to carry out, coordinate or participate in joint procurement with Member States. The agency will be able to act as a central purchasing body, including for digital and AI-enabled tools. What new powers will Frontex have on returns?
Frontex will take on a more proactive and strategic role in steering EU-wide return operations. A dedicated Return Coordination Centre will collect and analyse operational information and support planning and coordination. Frontex's support will cover the full spectrum of the return process, from early identification and voluntary return counselling to carrying out return operations and providing reintegration assistance.
The agency will also be able to support third countries on returns, both technically and operationally. It will be able to help organise and carry out return operations from one third country to another, subject to the conclusion of an agreement with the third country concerned, in compliance with fundamental rights and international standards. How will Frontex respond to crises?
A dedicated Online Monitoring and Response Centre will be set up with an explicit mandate for Frontex to monitor publicly accessible social media content, detect developments relevant for external border management, and support action against illegal online content linked to border-security risks.
A Quick Reaction Force will be deployable at the external border at very short notice to assist Member States in swiftly addressing any crisis or emergency. The decision to deploy can be taken by Frontex's Executive Director following a request by a Member State facing an emergency situation. This comes as a lesson learned from this year's crisis in Ceuta.
In addition, information exchange in crisis situations will be improved, including an obligation for Member States to report events with potential significant impact on EU borders within 24 hours in the dedicated EUROSUR network. What about digitalising returns?
Alongside the Frontex Regulation proposal, and following the entry into force of the new Return Regulation on 16 October, the Commission is proposing a new Regulation to digitalise return, readmission and reintegration procedures across the EU. The aim is to modernise the handling of return cases, simplify and speed up administrative procedures through digitalisation, reduce administrative burden, and improve data collection and sharing. The new rules will also strengthen Frontex's role in developing a new EU digital architecture. What happens next?
The proposals will now be sent to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for negotiation. The Commission said the proposals deliver on commitments in its 2024-2029 political guidelines and reiterated by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union address this year to reinforce Frontex and speed up returns.
Source: European Commission
— The European Commission has proposed a revised Frontex mandate and a new regulation to digitalise return procedures, citing a 55% drop in illegal border crossin