Answer given by Mr Avramopoulos on behalf of the Commission
24.3.2015
The activities of the Frontex Agency are confined to its legal framework as established by its founding regulation[1], Article 3 of which ‘Joint operations and pilot projects at the external borders’ sets out the conditions for Frontex joint operations. These operations need to be initiated by a Member State requesting increased technical and operational assistance or on an own-initiative by the Agency in cooperation with the Member States concerned.
The competent Spanish border control authorities have not asked or cooperated with the Frontex Agency to deploy a joint operation in Ceuta and/or Melilla.
Member States are responsible for the control and management of their sections of the external borders. The Commission is not in a position to comment on the specific operational needs of an individual Member State.
- [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 of 26.10.2004 establishing a European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union ; OJ L 349, 25.11.2004, p. 1‐11, as amended.