In 2017, the Frontex Agency carried out more returns operations of people living illegally in the EU than throughout the whole of 2016 but return application rates are still very low in the EU, at around 40%. This is one of the lessons provided on Monday 11 September by the Executive Director of the Frontex Agency, Fabrice Leggeri. In 2016, Frontex became the European Coast and Border Guard Agency.
Mr Leggeri, from France, provided an explanation regarding the agency’s activities, to the press. He subsequently explained that in 2017, Frontex operated twice as many flights than in 2016 (232 flights) and that around 10,000 people had been sent back to their countries of origin. Throughout the European Union, 170,000 returns decisions were effectively made in 2016, including 12,000 with the support of Frontex.
The head of Frontex also explained that over a three-year period, five times the number of people illegally residing in the EU were sent back to their countries of origin and that the number of flights operating returns increased by a factor of 10. The head of Frontex, however, explained that the question of returns was still just as complicated, given the possibilities for lodging appeals, as well as the legal difficulties and necessity of obtaining travel documents for the people concerned.
On the migratory front, the Frontex Executive Director confirmed that the number of arrivals along the central Mediterranean route had fallen and that those arriving in Italy from Libya in August had half compared to the numbers in July. Fewer than 100,000 people have arrived in Italy since the beginning of 2017, which represents a reduction of around 13% compared to figures from the previous year. Mr Leggeri added that, “We can say that the situation is stable and under control”.
On the Eastern Mediterranean route, high points were registered at the end of August but the situation returned to normal in September. Only those arriving in Spain from Morocco increased, with a figured that was 2.5 times higher than last year. Since the beginning of 2017, 14,000 people, mainly of Moroccan nationality, have arrived, explained the head of Frontex.
“Stress tests” balance sheet out before end of 2017
On Monday morning, the executive director of the agency indicated that the agency’s new mandate had made it possible for him to present the results from the member states’ external border stress tests, before the end of the year. These assessments were carried out in several different areas of the EU’s external borders and are expected to help identify potential weak spots. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)