2019 was an important year for Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. It was significant because for the first time we launched a large operation outside the European Union, in Albania. It was a leap towards becoming an essential player in keeping Europe’s citizens safe by securing our borders, even beyond the EU. It was also a transitional year as we began to prepare the ground for the creation of the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps that will also consist of the first European uniformed service.