Danish Immigration Minister Inger Støjberg visited Frontex on Thursday 16 July, where she and the agency’s Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri discussed the exceptional migratory and refugee situation facing the European Union and the related challenges for Frontex and Member States.
The head of Frontex and the Danish Minister for Immigration, Integration and Housing also talked about Denmark’s participation and contribution to Frontex activities. In recent months, Frontex has tripled the budget for its joint operations in the Mediterranean and increased the number of ships and officers taking part.
“Frontex needs the support of Member States in joint operations in these exceptional times and I hope we can count on the support of Minister Støjberg in our efforts,” Leggeri said.
Frontex experts presented the current state of play of Frontex-coordinated joint operations, illustrating the main migration routes to the EU and Frontex’s coordinating role in the implementation of the ‘hotspot approach’ proposed by the European Commission in the framework of the European Agenda for Migration.
The meeting took place with the participation of the delegation from the Danish Ministry for Foreigners, Integration and Housing composed of Uffe Toudal Pedersenm, Permanent Secretary; Henrik Ankerstjerne, Deputy Permanent Secretary; Andreas Højmark Andersen, Secretary to the Minister; and the Defense Attaché at the Danish Embassy in Poland, Colonel Jan Ørstrup-Møller.