Answer given by Ms Johansson on behalf of the European Commission
16.2.2023
Frontex does not participate in the ongoing negotiations between the EU, represented by the Commission, and the United Kingdom on an agreement between the EU and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, in respect of Gibraltar.
The negotiations are conducted on the basis of the negotiating directives adopted by the Council on 30 September 2021[1] and with due consideration to applicable EU law.
The envisaged agreement aims at removing all current physical barriers between Gibraltar and the Schengen area for the circulation of persons.
Spain has expressed its intention to request Frontex assistance within the limits and conditions of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard[2] in implementing the obligations under the future agreement with regard to external border controls during the initial four-year period.
Given that the negotiations on this envisaged agreement are ongoing, the Commission is not in a position to share additional information with the Honourable Member.