On 30
September, Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri traveled to Amsterdam’s
Schiphol airport to meet with a team of Frontex standing corps officers who are
supporting the Netherlands with return-related activities and border
management.
The
officers represent a new profile within the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps - forced-return escort and support
officers. Their main
task is to escort persons who have received a return decision from national
authorities, but also to identify and assist vulnerable groups or families with
children.
They have
been deployed to Schiphol, an international hub that sees thousands of
passengers every month, in the beginning of September.
“With
the standing corps, the EU’s first uniformed service, we provide a tailor-made
and flexible service to Member States. After Frankfurt and Fiumicino in Rome,
this is the third international hub where Frontex sent its standing corps
officers to assist with return operations. The forced-return escort and support officers
working at Schiphol will not only support Dutch authorities, but also other
Member States that use the airport as transit for their return operations,” said Frontex Executive Director
Fabrice Leggeri during his visit.
The forced-return escort and support
officers are experts who have completed specialized training prior to their
deployment. They have also attended a one-week briefing at Frontex tailor-made for their deployment
in Amsterdam and an additional week of training organised by Dutch authorities.
The officers are trained in mediation techniques, first aid procedures,
children and vulnerable groups protection.
“On
behalf of the Royal Netherlands Marechauussee I would like to welcome the
forced-return and support officers at Schiphol Airport. I would like to
underline the importance of the cooperation between Frontex and the Member
States to strengthen EU’s border management and to exchange knowledge,” said
Laurent Hendrickx, Director Operations Royal Netherlands Marechausse.
Already now,
Frontex assists Member States in the return of one in every five persons who
had no right to remain in the EU. Last year, despite numerous restrictions
related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Frontex assisted in returning more than
12,000 people not entitled to remain in the EU upon decision of the relevant
national authorities.
The
officers will be fully integrated in local teams to work closely together with
the Dutch colleagues.
Frontex
plans to continue deploying additional return teams at other key EU
international airports in the coming months.