Brussels, 25/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 24 May, the European border agency launched the first system for coordinating sea border patrols along the European Union's southern borders to combat illegal immigration. The project has been named the European Patrols Network (EPN), and will operate along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. The aim is to coordinate measures taken by member states and to link them into joint EU activities. The EPN will be implemented in two distinct phases. The first phase will involve the planning and coordination of coastal patrol activities by member states through setting up national points of contact in every EU country, with support from FRONTEX. This should mean that there is no overlap of patrols carried out in neighbouring zones and avoid unnecessary expenditure, while making it easier to exchange operational information. The second phase will see the creation of National Coordination Centres (NCCs) responsible for the European Patrols Network's permanent activities, directed by FRONTEX, on the high seas. NCCs will also be used when joint operations take place along the southern sea borders of the Union. The next step will be to integrate the EPN within the European Monitoring System. With the expected arrival of illegal immigrants at the southern sea borders, FRONTEX will very shortly begin its patrols. (bc)