70 years after the Schuman declaration, Europe faces a
crisis which makes standing together more important than ever. Today we
remember how Europeans made history in 1950 and pay tribute to those who are currently
making history in the fight against COVID-19.
“Seven decades ago
Robert Schuman set out his idea for a new form of cooperation in Europe, which
ultimately paved the way for the European Union. It is a momentous achievement
that today helps protect 446 million citizens of its Member States. We’re proud
to do our part by making Europe’s borders more secure,” said Fabrice Leggeri,
Executive Director of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for
solidarity across Europe and the crucial role of the EU in coordinating the
European response. Such a response is essential when it comes to our borders. If
we cannot control the external borders, we cannot control the spread of pandemics
in Europe.
Frontex plays a key role in ensuring effective protection of the external
borders of the European Union not only against cross-border crime but also
against health threats.
It is
already deeply involved in the fight against coronavirus, assisting EU
institutions by developing guidelines, monitoring tools and risk analysis. The
Agency continues to deliver despite the challenging times and maintains 900
officers, ships, aircrafts and other equipment at the EU external borders where
they are needed most.
The current pandemic has highlighted the fact that border
management requires proper mobility management. This means that the newly formed European Border and
Coast Guard standing corps will not only have to deal with irregular
migration, cross-border crime or terrorism at the external borders but will
also be a common European tool to better embed sanitary objectives under the
umbrella of Integrated Border Management at EU external borders.
Amid the
ongoing crisis, Frontex, the European Union and Member States continue to
prepare for the future by laying the ground for the deployment of first
standing corps officers in 2021. They will wear a European uniform and take
advantage of Frontex’s own technical equipment.
“Frontex and the standing corps are EU’s
operational face on the ground, protecting its citizens by using the external
borders as a filter, making the area of freedom, security and justice more
sustainable,” said Fabrice Leggeri.
