European Parliament to Vote on Frontex Border Agency Transformation

The European Parliament will vote Wednesday on the legislative proposal which stipulates transformation of the EU border agency Frontex into the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, members of the European Parliament debated the proposal on granting the Frontex Agency greater powers and responsibilities, as well as authorizing it to provide assistance to any EU member state which is facing disproportionate migratory pressure.

According to the European Parliament’s chief negotiator, Artis Pabriks, 1,500 border guards will work at the agency.

The new border guard structure is expected to guarantee a high level of EU internal security without putting the free movement of persons at risk.

The proposal also stipulates that EU countries may reintroduce temporary border controls if an EU member state refuses to cooperate with the new agency threatening the proper functioning of the Schengen zone.

Plans to set up an EU border control system, bringing together the EU’s Frontex border agency and national border… https://t.co/cLFF0p3uT7

— Parlament Ewropew MT (@EP_Malta) 1 июля 2016 г.

​The EU plans to transform Frontex into the European Border and Coast Guard Agency first came to light in December 2015 amid Europe's struggle to cope with a massive refugee crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict-torn countries in the Middle East and North Africa in search of safety and refuge.