Brussels, 23/01/2026 (Agence Europe) – Frontex and the European Union Agency for Asylum are strengthening their operational cooperation at the EU’s external borders through a new working agreement signed on Thursday 22 January in Nicosia by their respective Directors, Hans Leijtens and Nina Gregori. This agreement replaces the arrangement concluded in 2012 with the former European Asylum Support Office and reflects the “updated mandates” of the two agencies. The aim of this collaboration will be to support Member States in “screening and registration [arrivals]; asylum and reception support; and, where a return decision has been taken, return-related support”. The agreement comes ahead of the entry into force of the ‘Pact on Migration and Asylum’ on 12 June. In particular, the agencies will coordinate the implementation of the Screening Regulation, ensuring consistent deployment of security measures at Europe’s borders. The press release: https://aeur.eu/f/ke5 (JM)