| Author (Corporate) | European Union, Government of North Macedonia |
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| Series Title | Official Journal of the European Union |
| Series Details | L 61, Pages 3-19 |
| Publication Date | 27/02/2023 |
| Content Type | Legislation, News, Policy-making |
Summary:Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Republic of North Macedonia concerning the operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) in North Macedonia. Further information:This Agreement governs all matters necessary for the deployment of border management teams from the EBCG standing corps to North Macedonia where the team members may exercise executive powers. The deployment may take place on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia. Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 established the European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG). One of its tasks is to cooperate with third countries in relevant areas, including through potential operational deployment of border management teams in third countries. In these cases, a status agreement must be concluded by the EU with the third country concerned. During the peak of the European migration crisis, thousands of asylum seekers and migrants arrived in the EU via the Western Balkans regions. North Macedonia was part of a primary route for irregular mixed movement. While the number of arrivals progressively declined, the route is still heavily used. People in irregular movement remain targets of organised groups engaged in people smuggling. They are at risk of human rights violations along the route. In 2017, the European Commission launched negotiations with North Macedonia for a status agreement on the basis of a previous legislative framework. Negotiations were successfully finalised by the initialling of the draft status agreement in July 2018. However, the agreement was not immediately signed and, in 2019, a new legislative framework came into force. In July 2022, the Commission received the authorisation from the Council of the European Union to launch fresh talks with North Macedonia for an agreement on EBCG operational activities in the country. Negotiations were held on 25 August 2022, where the Commission considered that the objectives set out by the Council had been attained. The Decision on the signing of the Agreement was adopted by the Council of the European Union on 13 October 2022. The Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement was adopted by the Council on 24 February 2023. The Agreement was published in the Official Journal on 27 February 2023. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2023.061.01.0003.01.ENG |
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| Subject Categories | Justice and Home Affairs |
| Subject Tags | Bilateral Relations, Border Control | Management |
| Keywords | European Border and Coast Guard Agency |
| Countries / Regions | North Macedonia |
| International Organisations | European Union [EU] |
