Brussels, 10/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the European Union formally adopted the new rules on Monday strengthening the operational capacities of Frontex, a press release reports. On 13 September, the European Parliament definitively approved the compromise agreement reached with the Council at the end of June. Under the new rules, Frontex will be able, inter alia, to buy or lease its own equipment (vehicles, vessels, helicopters, etc.) or to buy such equipment in co-ownership with a member state. Member states will be able to second national border guards and make equipment available to the agency. Frontex will be given a co-leading role in joint operations and pilot projects. There will also be strengthened provisions for the protection of fundamental rights, including the establishment of a Consultative Forum on Fundamental Rights and the appointment of a Fundamental Rights Officer. Frontex will also be empowered to process personal data of migrants suspected of involvement in cross-border criminal activities and send these data to Europol or other EU law enforcement agencies. The Council and Parliament have still to sign the regulation which will then be published in the Official Journal. (SP/transl.rt)