On 11 February 2019, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard, received a green light from the Civil Liberties and Home Affairs Committee to better address migratory and security challenges. The committee also approved a mandate to start informal talks with the Council, which still requires plenary’s green light. Before the negotiations can start, the Council has to complete its now partial general approach.
On 12 September 2018, the Commission proposed an updated mandate for the European Border and Coast Guard, with the aim of further improving the control of the EU's external borders.
The proposal, tabled on December 3, aims to strengthen Frontex in terms of staff and equipment in order to provide further support to Member States, including by setting up a European Border and Coast Guard standing corps of 10000 operational staff with executive powers. It also incorporates the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) into the Frontex framework, in order to improve its functioning.
Some of the EU’s measures to safeguard Europe’s security include:
- a new European Border and Coast Guard agency
- an upgraded Schengen information system
- systematic checks against relevant databases on all persons crossing the external borders
- a new entry-exit system for non-EU nationals
- the European travel information and authorisation system (ETIAS)
- new rules to make EU databases more interoperable