Greece will have additional assistance from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency- Frontex to its Eastern border, in a bid of the latter to help Greece deal with a large number of migrants, the European border agency informs.
After Greece’s request to tighten the external border control, as the number of illegal stayers is increasing, the Frontex responded positively by helping to take the situation under control, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
“Given the quickly developing situation at the Greek external borders with Turkey, I decide to accept to launch the rapid border intervention requested by Greece. It is part of the Frontex mandate to assist a Member State confronted with an exceptional situation, requesting urgent support with officers and equipment from all EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries,” Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri said.
Frontex observation at Greek borders has increased, adding officers from other operations to assist immediately in the situation.
From 2021, Frontex will have its personnel that will help any European Union country to borders issues.
“Starting next year, we will be able to rely on the first 700 officers from the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps to provide operational flexibility in case of a rapid border intervention. Today, we depend entirely on EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries for contributions to come through at this crucial time,” he added.
When the Frontex assistance in Greece comes to an end, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency will require the EU Member States and Schengen Area Countries to increase the number of officers from each country.
The number of officers aims to be 1500 from EU States and Schengen Countries which are required to provide officers and staff within five days and equipment within ten days.