27/10/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 26 October, the EU and North Macedonia signed an agreement on operational cooperation for border management with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the European Commission said in a statement. Frontex already deploys around 300 agents in the region, including through joint operations at the EU’s external borders with Albania, Montenegro and Serbia. The agreement “will allow Frontex to assist North Macedonia in border management, to conduct joint operations and to deploy personnel at the border with the EU as well as at the borders of the neighbouring Western Balkan partners”. The draft decision on the conclusion of the agreement will have to be approved by the European Parliament and then by the Council of the EU. An operational plan will then be agreed directly between Frontex and the national authorities of North Macedonia. Link to the agreement: https://aeur.eu/f/3t6 (SP)