Smugglers fire shots in migrant rescue operation Smugglers fire shots in migrant rescue operation 2015-04-14 People smugglers fired several shots on Monday to recover a wooden boat after the migrants it was carrying were rescued some 60 NM from Libya. The search and rescue operation was carried out by an Italian tugboat and Icelandic Coast Guard vessel Týr deployed by Frontex. Read more
2 400 migrants rescued off Libyan coast before Easter 2 400 migrants rescued off Libyan coast before Easter 2015-04-08 Italian authorities rescued 2 400 migrants who left Libya on wooden fishing boats and rubber dinghies ahead of the Easter holiday last week, including 318 migrants rescued by Icelandic Coast Guard vessel Týr taking part in the Frontex-coordinated Joint Operation Triton. Read more
Global Conference on the Future of Border Checks Global Conference on the Future of Border Checks 2015-04-08 On 17-18 June 2015, Frontex will hold the 2015 Global Conference on the Future of Border Checks in Warsaw, Poland. The conference will provide a platform to discuss the practical steps needed to develop and implement a risk-based approach to border checks, while enabling better resource allocation and increased cost-effectiveness. Read more
Situational update on migratory flows in February 2015 Situational update on migratory flows in February 2015 2015-03-24 In January and February 2015, the Western Balkan route registered more than 26 600 illegal border crossings, a tenfold increase compared to the same period of last year. Such high numbers were mainly caused by the unprecedented numbers of Kosovo* nationals crossing the Serbian-Hungarian border illegally. However, this migratory flow also included other nationalities, primarily Afghans and Syrians travelling from Turkey via Greece and Bulgaria. Read more
Frontex and eu-LISA Sign Cooperation Plan for 2015 Frontex and eu-LISA Sign Cooperation Plan for 2015 2015-03-21 Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri and Executive Director of eu-LISA Krum Garkov signed a bilateral Annual Cooperation Plan for 2015 at eu-LISA’s headquarters in Tallinn on 17 March. The agreement covers cooperation areas related to the Smart Borders pilot led by eu-LISA in 2015, joint coordination of expert working groups in the field of border control, training and IT security. In addition, the two directors also discussed monitoring and use of new technologies and research. Read more
Joint Operation Triton extended to the end of 2015 Joint Operation Triton extended to the end of 2015 2015-02-21 Frontex has extended Joint Operation Triton in the Central Mediterranean until the end of 2015 to continue supporting Italy at its maritime borders and help save the lives of migrants stranded at sea. “All vessels and aircraft taking part in operation Triton actively contribute to the detection and rescue of people in distress and will now continue to do so for the rest of this year,” said Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri. Read more