(Alexandroupolis) 28 November, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency has reached a significant milestone and reinforced the cooperation with Member States towards a stronger and more effective operational command structure in Greece and Cyprus.
Together with high-ranking participants from the Hellenic Police: Hellenic Coast Guard Lieutenant General Dimitrios Mallios, Deputy Chief Tryfon Kontizas and Assistant Chief of the Police for Cyprus Border Protection Marios Christophides, Frontex Deputy Director for Operations, Lars Gerdes, officially launched, during a festive ceremony, the new Contingent 2 in Alexandroupolis.
This Contingent, covering operational activities in Greece and Cyprus under the Frontex Chain of Command, marks a new step in Agency development. The Frontex Contingent Commander oversees all the activities carried out as part of Joint Operation Greece and Joint Operation Cyprus. The Contingent is divided into four sections — three in Greece and one in Cyprus — comprising 28 operational groups across land, sea, and air domains in both countries.
As Frontex’s Standing Corps is to grow up to 10.000 by the end of 2027, the operational gravity is shifting from Warsaw to the field. This transition is more than a logistical change; it is a strategic evolution. The new field command structure we inaugurate today is essential. It is designed to bring decision-making closer to the action, ensuring that we can respond swiftly and effectively to any situation and to any request of the host State we are working for.
“This new field structure gives leadership more proximity to the action, clear commands, and the tools to succeed. For Greece, this means stronger support during migration surges in the Aegean. For Cyprus, this means quicker reactions to any influx. And for both nations, it means a reliable partner standing by your side”, says Lars Gerdes, Deputy Executive Director for Operations.
Furthermore, we are thankful that other Member States supporting Frontex, Greece and Cyprus stand here, with capacity building and providing assets. This shows that Europe stands together, shoulder to shoulder, and that EU external border protection is a common European challenge. The cooperation with all involved entities is excellent and trustful.
Frontex is present in Greece to support local authorities with border control and migration management, including prevention, detection and combating cross‑border crime at the EU external border with Turkey, North Macedonia and Albania.
Background and details of Frontex in Greece and Cyprus:
Currently, Frontex deploys 537 Standing Corps officers, interpreters and host Member State resources. Moreover, the Agency supports Greek authorities by having deployed: two aerial assets, nine maritime assets, 153 terrestrial assets (72 patrol cars, five mobile surveillance systems, one canine team vehicle and 75 transportation vehicles) and 366 light technical equipment (including co2 detectors and thermal cameras). Finally, Frontex, supports Cyprus Authorities with 58SCOs and cultural mediators as well as by providing many support assets such as high‑end document scanners and mobile document checking devices.
