Press Release: Launching operations of the European Border Patrols Network: a new tool to tighten up control and management of the EU’s Southern maritime borders

On 24 May 2007, FRONTEX (the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union), together with the Member States concerned, launched the European Border Patrols Network. The objective is to curb illegal immigration across the Mediterranean Sea and along the South-West Atlantic coasts and to detect emergencies at sea, thus reducing loss of life. The European Border Patrols Network will facilitate closer co-ordinated and cost-effective operational co-operation between the national authorities responsible for patrolling the Member States' Southern external maritime borders.

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/07/203 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/203&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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