EU super agency to police borders

EUROPE could get a new super agency tasked with guarding the Schengen area as part of measures to tighten up security on the external borders of the 26-country grouping.

The European Border and Coast Guard has been proposed by the EU Commission in response to the migration crisis and increased fears of terrorism.

If approved, the new body would have the power to deploy its agents on territory belonging to member states at their request. In some cases of emergency it would be authorised by the Commission to deploy agents even when a state makes no such request.

France has said it supports the move, which it is hoped will preserve the principle of freedom of movement within the EU. This has been jeopardised by the influx of migrants from war-torn Syria, which has contributed to the 1.5million illegal border crossings since the beginning of the year and led to Germany, Austria and Sweden reinstating frontier controls.

If the new agency is approved by the EU Parliament it would involve a substantial overhaul of the way Schengen’s borders are policed, with French press calling it a “minor revolution”.

Frontex, the agency tasked with helping to maintain the zone’s external security, would be absorbed into a central organisation that also incorporates member states’ individual border authorities. The European Commission said the new body would more than double Frontex staff, rising to 1,000 by 2020.

European Commission first vice-president Frans Timmermans said: “The crisis has exposed clear weaknesses and gaps in existing mechanisms aimed at making sure that EU standards are upheld. The European Border and Coast Guard will bring together a reinforced agency, with the ability to draw on a reserve pool of people and equipment.”

He added that member states would continue to “exercise day-to-day border management”.

Not all members of the Schengen area share France’s view on the proposed measure and the announcement has brought mixed reactions. The Polish foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski described the idea as “shocking”, while Germany has said it supports the move.

European migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said: “Where Frontex used to be limited to supporting member states in managing their external borders, the new agency will go beyond this.”

As well increasing security for EU citizens the new super agency would strengthen efforts to guard borders and stop illegal immigrants, and allow the asylum system to be run more efficiently, he added.