Brussels, 06/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 6 April, the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the Member States (COREPER) obtained a political agreement of principle on the proposal to set up a European Border Guard.
This agency seeks to replace Frontex and will have greater powers and resources. This approach underlines the determination of the Dutch presidency of the Council of the EU to move as quickly as possible on this dossier, explained one source. Ministers will not need to meet up to adopt a general approach because this procedure at COREPER is enough to begin inter-institutional negotiations with the European Parliament, as soon as MEPs have adopted their position.
The aim of the Dutch Presidency is to get the future agency up and running by the end of this summer, on the condition that the legislative procedure is completed by then.
During their most recent formal meeting on 10 March, Ministers of the Interior reached consensus on the main points in this new regulation. They agreed to the idea of granting the future agency the "right to intervene" at specific points along Schengen's external borders if serious failings are observed (EUROPE 11509).
According to member states, if this intervention is required it would be done on the basis of a Council decision and no longer by the European Commission, as the latter had proposed (EUROPE 11451). If urgent action is required, the member state in question would be requested to cooperate but in extreme situations where it did not, the proposal allows for one or several member states to re-establish controls at their internal borders for a period lasting up to 6 months. This six-month period can be renewed three times if failings persist.
It should also be pointed out that member states have named this future body the "European Border Guard Agency" and not the "European Coast and Border Guard". (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)