The plenary of the European Parliament on Wednesday gave the green light to the agreement to deploy European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex) agents on the soil of North Macedonia in case its authorities need assistance in controlling migration flows.
MEPs meeting in Strasbourg (France) have given their approval with 511 votes in favor, 104 against and 20 abstentions to the agreement, which provides the necessary legal basis for the deployment of European agents on non-EU soil.
The agreement will strengthen the capacity of Frontex in the immediate vicinity of the EU with the aim of helping the authorities of North Macedonia to manage irregular migration, fight smuggling and improve security at the external borders of the EU, the European institution has indicated in a statement.
In line with Frontex rules, the agreement will include «robust» provisions for the protection of Fundamental Rights and the monitoring of their enforcement.
«We not only strengthen cooperation with North Macedonia but also close an important gap in the management of migration flows on the Western Balkan route,» said German ‘popular’ MEP Lena Düpont, rapporteur of the position of the European Parliament.
Negotiations between the EU Executive and the Balkan country began in July 2018, with the aim already to carry out joint operations with local forces and law enforcement agencies, especially in cases of migration crisis, but despite the initial dialogue the process until its adoption has dragged on for more than four years.
The European Union has similar agreements in place with Albania, Montenegro and Serbia.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
