Brussels, 26/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 February, the European Commission announced it was planning to place border guards at the EU external borders as a permanent measure under the aegis of the Frontex agency. Jacques Barrot, European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, pointed out: “The long term strategy (of Frontex), based on practical experience, will determine to what extent it would be preferable to allocate a permanent border guard and common equipment to control of the external border, rather than ensure the coordination of member state resources as is the case at present”. “An in-depth debate must be held on the long term strategy that the Union should follow regarding the agency's role”, he stressed, on the occasion of a debate organised during the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels. In its assessment report, the Commission recommends that, in the short term, the current mandate of the agency should be completely implemented, the commissioner said. During his speech, Mr Barrot also confirmed that the Commission will present two major legislative proposals early in 2010. The first will concern the introduction of an “entry and exit system” allowing entry and exit dates for each third country national admitted for a short stay in the Schengen Area to be recorded using biometric identification. The other will concern the creation of a programme of registered travellers, and will aim to facilitate border controls for certain categories of frequent travellers, based on strengthened prior control. Luis Miguel Pariza, rapporteur for the two opinions concerning European immigration and asylum policy, deplored the “very meagre” results of work in this field, above all due to the current Council decision-making mechanisms. “This policy will not be able to really attain its targets unless the Lisbon Treaty is adopted”, Mr Barrot pointed out, stressing the need to continue to work within the framework of the European Pact on immigration and asylum adopted last year. The first annual debate on the pact at the level of the European Council will be held in June 2010 under Spanish presidency, the commissioner said. Mr Barrot, who was there to present the Commission's approach to immigration and asylum to the members of the EESC, said that the first European forum on integration, an event in which the EESC will take part, will be organised for 20 April. (B.C./transl.jl).