In 2004, the European Council requested the Commission to submit a political evaluation of the FRONTEX Agency by the end of 2007. The evaluation should contain a review of the Agency’s tasks and an assessment of whether the Agency should concern itself with other aspects of border management, including enhanced cooperation with customs services and other competent authorities for goods-related security matters. The evaluation should also cover the functioning of national expert’s teams and the feasibility of a European border guards system. In presenting this report the Commission is fulfilling the Council’s request.

Achievements 2005-2007: In 2006 and 2007 the Agency undertook a number of joint operations including: 9 sea operations; 12 land border operations; and 7 air border operations. A total of 10 pilot projects have been implemented in order to complement the joint operations. Participation by the Member States in joint operations ranges from the deployment of one expert to the deployment of equipments such as vessels and aircraft. On average, 7 Member States have participated in sea border operations, 9 in land border operations and 11 in air border operations. Sea border operations have generally been substantially higher than other operations – thanks in large part to the employment of equipment. The quantifiable results, to date, are impressive: more than 53 000 persons between 2006 and 2007 have been apprehended or denied entry at the border as a result of FRONTEX operations. More than 2 900 false or falsified travel documents have been detected and 58 persons arrested for facilitating illegal immigration.

In December 2006, following a request from the Council, the “European Patrols Network” (EPN) began in May 2007. FRONTEX and the Member States concerned namely, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Malta, Greece and Cyprus, are working on a regional basis with bilateral cooperation between neighbouring states. Patrols have been limited to areas close to the coasts of the Member States involved. The Agency has also set up a Central Record of Available Technical Equipment (CRATE). The CRATE database contains data on over a hundred vessels, around 20 aircraft and 25 helicopters and several hundred border control equipment such as mobile radar units, vehicles, thermal cameras and mobile detectors. This provides a useful inventory of equipment that can be used in joint operations although it has, to date, been used only modestly.

Concerning the short-term development of operational coordination the Commission makes the following recommendations:

· to exploit the potential of the CRATE database further;

· to set up FRONTEX specialised Agency branches in the Member States, with priority being given to branches in the southern maritime borders; and

· to merge the European Patrols Network with join operations in order to avoid an overlap of work.

Assistance to the Member States on training of national border guards, including the establishment of common training standards: A total of 97 training sessions, meetings and workshops (including the training of border guards and “training of trainers”) were organised with a total of 1 341 participants. The common core curriculum that sought to standardise training all over Europe, is currently subject to review. Although the impact of training activities can only be assessing the long-term, it has become clear that the approach chosen with FRONTEX acting as the operational coordinator for training based on partnerships with national academics has proved to be successful and should, as a result, be expanded. Based on this assessment, the Commission recommends that border guards continue to train under FRONTEX activities. Specialised training courses, that include personnel exchange, should be organised by FRONTEX.

Follow-up: So far, FRONTEX has implemented 6 projects and 7 workshops/seminars concerning research and development. New technologies play a vital role including, for example an entry-exit system and measures to automate border control and a European Border Surveillance System. BIOPASS, a project implemented by FRONTEX on the use of biometrics at airports and national registered traveller’s schemes provides important input and FRONTEX will play an important role in taking this forward.

Border measures and EUROSUR: Improved cooperation is key to the development of an integrated border management model, whereby persons and goods are controlled using similar working methods and risk management approaches. A further analysis of a “single window” concept, where the activities of border and customs authorities will be fully integrated with each other, will need to be pursued taking account of the on-going evaluation of customs. In parallel to this the Commission will present a Communication outlining a roadmap for the setting up of a “European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR). FRONTEX could take on the role as “hub” for an improved system of exchange of real-time, operational information between Member States. Further, giving FRONTEX access to surveillance information in a more systematic and structured manner could serve as a basis for the development of a FRONTEX intelligence led information system, targeting the external borders of the EU.

To conclude, the Commission invites the Council to prioritise the recommendations set out in this report bearing mind the need to maximise, as soon as possible, FRONTEX activities in the southern maritime borders of the Union. EUROSUR should be taken forward as a matter of priority. Taking account of these discussions, the Commission will consider presenting legislative proposals to amend the FRONTEX Regulation.