Yesterday, a group of 48 officers from various European Member States graduated from their basic border and coast guard training after a ten-month course in Portugal. The graduation ceremony took place in Narva, Estonia, and was opened by Frontex Deputy Executive Director Aija Kalnaja in the presence of the Director General of the Estonian Police and Border Guard.
The newly graduated officers are now fully-fledged members of the European standing corps and will soon join their colleagues already working all along EU’s external borders and in non-EU countries. They are prepared to face the complex and emerging challenges at the external borders of the European Union and protect the European area of freedom, security and justice.
Frontex Deputy Executive Director Aija Kalnaja addressed the officers:
“You embody the spirit of cooperation and unity that is crucial for the success of the European Border and Coast Guard. Your diverse backgrounds and experiences enrich our corps and enhance our ability to respond to a wide range of scenarios at the EU borders,” she said.
The ten-month training took place at the Naval Base in Almada and was followed by practical exercises at the Lisbon airport and port. The basic training programme is designed to provide the officers with the necessary theoretical and practical competences to effectively manage the EU’s external borders, fully complying with the applicable EU law and ethical standards.
From mastering border control and surveillance techniques to refining crisis management skills, the training ensures that officers are well-versed in the complexities of modern border security. Estonia, with its strategic geographical location, served as a fitting backdrop for the final stage of the training.
