The European Union’s Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has signed a border management cooperation agreement with Montenegro which will allow the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to assist Montenegro in border management, carry out joint operations and deploy teams in the regions of Montenegro that border the EU, subject to Montenegro’s agreement.
European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said: “Today, we are further strengthening our border cooperation with Montenegro, taking yet one more step towards bringing the Western Balkan region closer to the EU. The migratory and security challenges we face are common and our response must be joint too.”
Finland’s interior minister, Maria Ohisalo, added: “The objective of this agreement is to allow Frontex to coordinate operational cooperation between EU member states and Montenegro on the management of the borders that the European Union and Montenegro have in common. The signing of this agreement is yet another demonstration of the deepening and expanding cooperation with Montenegro. It will bring benefits for both parties, in particular in enhancing border management activities.”
The agreement aims at tackling irregular migration, in particular sudden changes in migratory flows, and cross-border crime, and can involve the provision of increased technical and operational assistance at the border.
The European Union hopes that strengthened cooperation between priority third countries and the European Border and Coast Guard will contribute to tackling irregular migration and further enhance security at the EU’s external borders.
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