Frontex | Third Countries

External Relations

As an integral part of its mission, Frontex builds cooperation with countries outside the EU. These relationships represent a valuable tool for effectively tackling irregular migration and cross-border crime and form an important part of the EU’s Integrated Border Management (IBM) strategy.

A primary objective is to intensify existing bilateral cooperation with neighbouring countries and with countries of origin and transit for irregular migration. As with other Frontex activities, external cooperation is based on the findings of risk analyses.

In this context Frontex constantly develops a reliable and effective network of partnerships at the operational level with the relevant authorities of non-EU states. These authorities are usually law enforcement authorities with operational responsibility for border control, as well as regional cooperation structures for border control.

Intensifying and expanding these ties will also fully take into account the EU external relations policy priorities, in particular the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility, the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum and the Stockholm Programme.

Operational Cooperation

Key areas for the development of operational cooperation with the competent authorities of partner countries are information exchange, risk analysis, training, research and development, joint operations and pilot projects.

Frontex pursues the signing of working arrangements as its preferred option. These take into account the mutual interests of each partner country individually, with an emphasis on gradual development of sustainable partnerships. In the implementation of the cooperation, Frontex and the competent authorities of the partner countries afford full respect to human rights.

A good example of this partnership can be seen in the Western Balkans Risk Analysis Network where analysts of Frontex and the six countries concerned work together using the same methodology. A similar regular and structured information-sharing network has been developed with neighbouring Eastern countries.

The area of training also demonstrates how these partner countries are taking EU training standards progressively on board. An example is the Common Core Curriculum (CCC) for basic border guard training. Should they choose, the authorities of partner countries can adopt Frontex training standards into their own strategies and/or make use of Frontex training tools and participate in the development of new ones. Such collaboration leads to increased harmony between EU and non-EU systems and structures and promotes interoperability, which is in the common interests of all parties concerned.

Another option for cooperation, referred to in the Frontex founding Regulation, is through existing bilateral arrangements between non-EU states and individual Member States of the EU. This option was employed to good effect in Frontex Joint Operation Hera, focusing on migration flows from West Africa to the Canary Islands. Mauritania and Senegal have both been involved in Hera as a result of bilateral agreements in place with Spain, and their contribution has yielded positive results.

Frontex priorities regarding cooperation with third countries

Cooperation with EU candidate and potential candidate countries always deserves special attention, particularly in seeking to align their border management structures with EU standards. The establishment and maintenance of operational and technical cooperation with neighbouring countries as well as with those non-EU countries bordering the Mediterranean remains a high priority, especially given the humanitarian aspect of irregular migration by sea.

The amended Frontex Regulation (EU) No 1168/2011 envisages enhanced operational capacity for the Agency. It also reinforces effective assistance to non-EU states regarding operational aspects of border management. Under the new provisions, Frontex may launch and finance technical assistance projects in third countries, also benefiting from Union funding. The Agency may also, based on risk analysis and upon approval by its Management Board, deploy its liaison officers to third countries and, on a reciprocal basis, may receive liaison officers posted by those third countries, for a limited period.

Working Arrangements

As of June 2012, Frontex had concluded working arrangements with the authorities of 17 countries: the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Croatia, Moldova, Georgia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United States, Montenegro, Belarus, Canada, Cape Verde, Nigeria, Armenia and Turkey as well as with the CIS Border Troop Commanders Council and the MARRI Regional Centre in the Western Balkans.

In addition, following mandates from its Management Board to enter into negotiations, the agency is in various stages of negotiations with the authorities of further eight countries: Libya, Morocco, Senegal, Mauritania, Egypt, Brazil, Tunisia and Azerbaijan.

Based on a working arrangement, cooperation may be further structured so that both sides commit resources to specific planned activities over a given timeframe.

Frontex involvement in EU-led initiatives

Frontex provides advice and actively participates in other EU-led initiatives involving cooperation on border related activities with countries beyond the EU. Examples include initiatives stemming from the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility, for example the Migration and Mobility Partnerships, the Eastern Partnership Initiative or the Building Migration Partnerships.

Finally, contacts and cooperation with EU missions and regional initiatives are also important elements of Frontex’s external relations strategy. Regular contacts exist with EU Missions supporting law enforcement authorities in their efforts towards effective border management.