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    • Frontex hosts European Border and Coast Guard Day to discuss security at sea

    2018-05-25

    On 24 May, Frontex hosted over 300 European border and coast guard representatives from more than 30 countries at the annual European Border and Coast Guard Day. The Agency’s flagship event, renamed to show the fact that coast guard functions are now covered by Frontex’s expanded mandate, took place this year in the Polish town of Sopot, the first time in the event’s nine-year history that it has been organised outside Warsaw.  

    “It is in cooperation with the national coast guards that Frontex forms the European Border and Coast Guard, and it is in cooperation that we protect the EU’s external borders. The many different uniforms and national emblems that I see before me testifies to the fact that we are a truly European body,” said Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri. “We can only win the fight against crime and for security together.” 

    The focus of this year’s event was safeguarding maritime borders, with presentations on security challenges at sea and how these can best be addressed. Following the official conference, participants were invited to view a maritime exercise organised and conducted by the Polish Border Guard.

    “If a national approach to border management is no longer sufficient, what do we need instead?” said Frontex Deputy Director Berndt Körner in closing the event. “The answer is cooperation. Cooperation and the willingness to listen and learn from our partners in a spirit of solidarity, while always remaining flexible to adapt to changing circumstances.”