Common European Asylum System in a Changing World

6.2 The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard

Basic information: Frontex is the European agency originally formed as the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union in 2004 , on the legal basis of Council Regulation (EC) 2007/2004. Later on, Frontex was reformed twice, by Regulation (EU) 2016/1624, and finally, the actual legal basis derives from Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of 13 November 2019 (hereinafter also referred to as ‘EASO Regulation’). The seat of Frontex is in Warsaw (Poland). The purpose of the Agency is to promote, coordinate, and develop European border management. The The structure of the agency is similar to other agencies, such as the EASO, and contains a Management board, Executive director, their deputy, and Fundamental rights officer (Article 99 of EASO Regulation). The management board is composed of nominees of MS and of the Commission (one member is nominated by every MS, two by the Commission) and serves as the leading body of the Agency. The executive director is appointed by the management board for five years based on a proposal of the Commission which presents the list of at least 3 candidates; there is an obligatory hearing of candidates in the European Parliament. The executive director is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the strategic decisions; they e.g. also decide about rapid border intervention. The fundamental rights officer is appointed by the management board. Frontex activity is very sensitive in terms of human rights protection, the fundamental rights officer is a guarantor of respect for human rights. Main tasks: Frontex has the following main tasks:  monitor and analyse migratory flows and the situation at and beyond external borders of the EU;  coordinate and organise joint operations and rapid border interventions (assistance to MS on the external borders and at sea); for this purpose, the FRONTEX deploys the European Border and Coast Guard Teams (the pool is operatively provided by MS on request);  search and rescue operations at sea (with Frontex-deployed vessels);  support MS with screening, debriefing, identification, and fingerprinting of migrants; for which it deploys its staff;  assist MS in forced returns of people, who have not legitimized their stay in the EU;  help with preventing cross-border crimes.

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