Report on the evaluation of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard, including a review of the Standing Corps

Summary:

Report adopted by the European Commission on 2 February 2024, assessing Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG), including a review of the Standing Corps.

Further information:

The European Commission's 2021 Schengen strategy emphasised the need for rules ensuring a common and efficient management of common external borders in a context where there are no internal border controls. The mission of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is to support Member States in managing the external borders effectively and efficiently, and also addressing threats and migratory challenges at those borders, in compliance with fundamental rights.

The EBCG Standing Corps were established by Regulation (EU) 2019/1865 (also known as the EBCG Regulation) and are set up gradually until 2027. They are available at all times to support countries facing challenges at the common external borders and to make returns more effective. Article 121 of the EBCG Regulation requires the Commission to carry out an evaluation of that Regulation by December 2023 and every four years thereafter. It should also carry out a review of Standing Corps by December 2023.

This Report sets out the conclusions that the Commission has drawn from the assessment of the Regulation and the review of the Standing Corps, which were carried out between May 2022 and October 2023. The Staff Working Document details further on what is presented in the Report. Even though that the implementation of the Regulation is not meant to be completed yet, the evaluation and review identified delays and gaps in some areas. The Report proposes measures, in the form of an action plan, to fully achieve the objectives of Frontex and the EBCG.

Official

EUR-LEX: SWD(2024)75 - Staff Working Document accompanying the Report - Evaluation https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2024:75:FIN

European Commission: DG Migration and Home Affairs: Policies: Effective management of external borders https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/effective-management-external-borders_en

European Commission: Press Release, 05/02/2024: First evaluation of the Frontex Regulation delivers overall positive assessment despite challenges https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_613

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