18/11/2022 (Agence Europe) – The EU Council decided on Friday 18 November to allow the European Commission to negotiate with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia to extend cooperation agreements with Frontex, according to a statement. The EU had already concluded agreements with Albania, Montenegro and Serbia under Frontex’s previous mandate, but these only allowed the agency to conduct joint operations and deploy teams to regions bordering the EU. An agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina had also been negotiated but not yet signed. The forthcoming agreements will allow Frontex to help these countries manage migration flows, and let Frontex staff exercise executive powers, such as border controls and registration of persons. Frontex will also be able to intervene at the borders of these countries with other third countries (see EUROPE 13050/8). (SP)