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265 candidates from 21 EU Member States have accepted offers to become the first officers of the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps, the first uniformed law enforcement service of the European Union.

This accounts for 94% of all the candidates who received job offers from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, last week. The new recruits will begin their online training in mid-June and will take part in a physical training programme later this year.

It will ensure that the officers have the necessary skills to work together in any particular operational area, fully complying with the applicable EU law and ethical standards.

“The incredible response from the candidates who quickly accepted the job offers shows how eager they are to become the first to join Frontex as members of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency,” said Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri.

“The unexpected emergencies we all have been dealing with in recent months, like COVID-19 and the situation at the Greek borders, only highlight the fact that Europe needs Frontex and the standing corps to provide coordinated, unified assistance to EU Member States at their external borders,” he added.

The Frontex officers will serve as the foundation of the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps, which will also consist of officers from national border guards and other law enforcement services. At any time, the standing corps will be able to support the Member States facing challenges at their external borders.

Frontex received 7 500 applications from candidates interested in becoming its border guards. It is continuing the selection procedure for other candidates who may also be offered a position in the standing corps later this year after completing all the stages of the recruitment process, which includes an interview, English exam and physical aptitude test. Those who will be selected will also undergo a six-month training programme before participating in operational activities.

Since the end of April, Frontex has been conducting online interviews with the remaining candidates. So far, it has interviewed nearly a third of the eligible candidates.