Is Frontex an EU agency?

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, also known as Frontex (from French: Frontières extérieures for “external borders”), is an agency of the European Union headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, tasked with border control of the European Schengen Area, in coordination with the border and coast guards of Schengen Area …

Who is responsible for Frontex?

Frontex falls within the responsibility and portfolio of its “parent DG”, Commission Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME), and the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Ylva Johansson.

Is Frontex a military?

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, has increasingly close relations with the European military and security industry. Since it started operating in 2005 it has primarily functioned as an intermediary between industry and border authorities of EU member states.

Are Frontex officers armed?

For the first time, the Frontex standing corps officers recruited as EU statutory staff (category 1) will be able to carry firearms for patrolling activities.

Is the UK still part of Frontex?

In recent years, with the rise in refugees and migrants attempting to reach Europe, the profile of Frontex and the demands placed on it have increased. During this period, while the UK has not been a full member, it has been represented on its management board, and its involvement in Frontex operations has increased.

How is Frontex funded?

In view of its autonomy, Frontex is granted a stand-alone budget whose revenue comes mostly from an EU contribution. In the period 2015-2018, the EU contribution to Frontex’s budget amounted to €0.9 billion, representing 93 % of Frontex’s funding6.

What is the role of the EU agency Frontex?

Frontex focuses on preventing smuggling, human trafficking and terrorism as well as many other cross-border crimes. It shares any relevant intelligence gathered during its operations with relevant national authorities and Europol. The agency is the centre of expertise in the area of border control.

Are Frontex police?

Frontex has effectively become a law enforcement agency. Focus on migration has morphed into drug smuggling, document fraud, terrorism, and cigarette smuggling. It has even seized arms.

What is Frontex role?

Where is Frontex deployed?

Some of the key Frontex operations include Joint Operation Themis (Italy), Joint Operation Poseidon Sea (Greece), Operations Indalo and Minerva (Spain), Western Balkans (Albania, Montenegro) and activities in Bulgaria and Hungary.

What is the role of Frontex?

Why was Frontex established?

Frontex, the Agency’s predecessor, was established on November 25, 2004, to oversee the external border controls of the Schengen Area. The primary objective of Frontex was to coordinate the border management of the member states.