02/04/2019 (Agence Europe) – The European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee approved by a large majority (33 votes in favour, 3 against, 0 abstentions) on Tuesday 2 April, the agreement reached with the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU on the reform of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (formerly Frontex) (see EUROPE 12224/14). The Member States did the same on the previous day, despite opposition from Italy, Spain and Slovenia. In particular, these countries raised questions of sovereignty and the negative impact of the reform on the national workforce. The future rules will increase the number of permanent officials in the European agency to 5,000 in 2021 and to 10,000 by 2027. Assistance to Member States for return operations will be increased. Joint operations with North African countries will also be possible. Parliament’s plenary session must set the text in stone. (SP)