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On 21 November, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency celebrated the entry into force of the Agency’s Headquarters Agreement with the Republic of Poland. Prime Minister Beata Szydło, Minister of the Interior and Administration Mariusz Błaszczak, and European Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos were honorary guests at the event.

“This was an important but also necessary step, not only for Frontex as an institution, but also for our staff. The Headquarters Agreement shows that the Agency has come of age and has settled in Warsaw for good, sending an important signal to our employees that their future here is assured,” said Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri during the ceremony at the Agency’s premises in Warsaw. “I would like to emphasise how glad we at Frontex are – and I very much include myself here – to be living in such a dynamic city.”

“Frontex is a cornerstone of the EU’s efforts to guarantee an area of freedom, security and justice, helping to safeguard Europe’s internal security and at the same time playing an increasingly central role in migration management,” Leggeri added.

The Headquarters Agreement entered into force on 1 November 2017, following a ratification process in the Polish parliament. It defines the legal status of the Agency and its staff in Poland, and at the same time allows Frontex to build its new headquarters in Warsaw on land provided by the Polish government. It also foresees the establishment of an accredited European School for the children of Agency staff.

Having coordinated operations at the EU’s external borders since its establishment in 2004, Frontex became the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in October 2016. The Agency is growing rapidly following the expansion of its role and activities, with staff numbers due to double from 500 at present to 1,000 by 2020.