The new Executive Director of Frontex, Dutchman Hans Leijtens, whose mandate will begin on 1 March, promised on Thursday 19 January in Brussels to do everything possible to restore “confidence” in the Agency.
Alongside the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, the Dutchman, who will succeed the current acting Director, Aija Kalnaja, defined “three red lines”: to be accountable for all Frontex activities, to respect the fundamental rights that “go hand in hand” with the protection of the external borders, and to make transparency “the basis of all our action”, so that “everyone understands” the nature of Frontex activities.
When asked about the pushback of migrants, the Director recalled that this practice is illegal and that he is responsible for ensuring that it does not happen.
On the contestation by some governments of the role of NGOs in the rescue of migrants at sea or on the revelations about the actions of European border guards, Hans Leijtens did not yet want to take an official position, but assured that his door would be open to NGOs to pass on all their information. “And I assure them that I will answer”, added the Dutchman.
For her part, Commissioner Johansson acknowledged that “expectations are high” for the new leadership of Frontex, which will not only have to deal with migration and the return of people not eligible for international protection, but also with security challenges such as drug trafficking.
The Commissioner also recalled that saving lives at sea was a top priority, as 30 people have already died at sea since the beginning of the year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
As for returns, an operational strategy to strengthen them will be presented next week, she added. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)