- Europe
- News Desk
- Source: European Commission https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_26_2272
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday a revised mandate for Frontex, the EU border agency, and a new regulation to digitalise return procedures, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Magnus Brunner announced at a press point. The proposals aim to strengthen external border management and speed up returns, according to a statement from the Commission.
Key facts
Why is Frontex's mandate being revised?
- Illegal border crossings are at their lowest level since 2021, down 55% over the past two years, according to the Commission.
- Western Balkans route crossings fell 95% since 2022, while Western African and Central Mediterranean routes dropped 80% since 2023.
- The new Return Regulation entered into force on 16 October.
- The Entry/Exit System registered over 250 million entries and exits in its first year and turned away 80,000 people at the border.
- The Commission proposes an Online monitoring and response centre for Frontex to monitor public social media content.
Virkkunen said the EU has established the world's most advanced border management system, but migratory pressure remains. She cited geopolitical developments, hybrid threats, disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure as ongoing challenges. Criminal smuggling networks are becoming more professional and using new technologies and social media to coordinate unauthorised crossings.
The Commission also wants to address political and practical constraints in the current system. Member States need more flexible support, stronger operational capacity, improved planning and better access to equipment and surveillance tools, Virkkunen said. What new tools will Frontex have?
The proposal creates a quick Frontex reaction force, strengthens situational awareness and early warning, upgrades the EUROSUR border surveillance system, and broadens the agency's role in addressing hybrid threats. An Online monitoring and response centre would monitor publicly accessible social media content and support action against illegal online content linked to border-security risks.
Virkkunen said Frontex would gain clear legal powers to act on illegal content, including sending notices to platforms and, if designated by national authorities, acting as a trusted flagger under the Digital Services Act. The agency could also request national authorities to order platforms to provide information or act against illegal content. She stressed that the DSA enforcement framework remains fully respected. How will returns be digitalised?
Alongside the Frontex proposal, the Commission is proposing a regulation to digitalise return, readmission and reintegration procedures across the EU, following the entry into force of the new Return Regulation on 16 October. The aim is to modernise case handling, speed up administrative processes and improve data collection and sharing.
New EU-level systems would allow secure information exchange on identification, travel documents, return operations and post-arrival support, creating a common digital backbone connecting authorities, processes and tools. Frontex would play a key role in this architecture, which the Commission says will make returns more efficient and cost-effective, simplify procedures and reduce administrative burden. What has been achieved so far?
Commissioner Brunner said reforms are delivering results. He cited the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the safe countries of origin list and the safe third country concept, along with migration diplomacy. He gave concrete figures: Western Balkans crossings down 95% since 2022, and Western African and Central Mediterranean routes down 80% since 2023.
Brunner also highlighted the Entry/Exit System as a significant boost for security. In its first year, Member States registered over 250 million entries and exits and turned away 80,000 people with no right to enter the EU directly at the border, equivalent to 220 people every day. He added that the system stopped 2,000 people who posed a threat. What happens next?
The proposals will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The Commission said the digital dimension is a main political enabler of the Frontex reform, and that secure borders, effective returns and credible crisis response require superior situational awareness, faster information flows and better operational data management.
Source: European Commission
— The European Commission has proposed a major expansion of Frontex, including a 30,000-strong standing corps and new powers to coordinate returns, alongside a re