The European Commission has proposed a package of measures to establish a European Border and Coast Guard to guarantee effective border control both on land and at sea.
Designed to meet the new challenges and political realities faced by the EU, regarding both migration and internal security, the European Border and Coast Guard will be composed of a newly created European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the national authorities and coastguards responsible for border management.
The legislative package adopted seeks to enhance and reinforce cooperation in order to support national authorities carrying out coastguard functions. The cooperation will include sharing information on ships and movements, providing surveillance and communication services including space-based infrastructures, sensors and drones, as well as capacity building and sharing, which also includes joint risk assessment and operations at sea.
The European Fisheries Control Agency will contribute substantially to improving border control by sharing information, assets and intelligence with the new European Border and Coast Guard Agency and with the European Maritime Safety Agency. The European Fisheries Control Agency has particular know-how and experience in the global fight against illegal fishing, which is often related to other criminal activities such as drug trafficking or smuggling of people and of weapons or other goods.
Coastguard authorities carry out operational activities at sea, including border control, but also activities regarding maritime transport, fisheries control, customs, and marine pollution. This legislative package therefore enhances the EU's response capacity at sea not only in relation to border management, but also to threats and risks of other major crisis situations at sea.
