On Thursday, Parliament gave consent to Frontex operational support for the Republic of Moldova, including at its borders with Ukraine.
Following an urgent procedure, MEPs gave consent, with 543 votes in favour, 34 against and 10 abstentions, to the conclusion of an international agreement between the EU and Republic of Moldova on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex).
This agreement constitutes the framework for deploying Frontex staff to support the Moldovan authorities in daily border management activities in the Republic of Moldova, such as screening, identity checks and border, responding to the increased arrivals of refugees from Ukraine (latest UNHCR figures available here).
Pending the completion of all procedural steps for its entry into force, the agreement has been provisional applied since the date of its signature, on 17 March 2022.
Joint operational activities have been launched by Frontex upon the request of Moldovan authorities, after agreeing on an operational plan, In their work, the staff have to fully respect fundamental rights, human dignity and pay attention to vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied minors. The Agency’s fundamental rights officer will monitor the operational activities.
The legal status of Frontex operational activities in non-EU countries involving border management teams where the members of the teams will exercise executive powers, is formalised in a status agreement, as provided by the EBCG regulation. It includes provisions on the scope of the operation, the tasks and powers of the members of the teams, incidents reporting, privileges and immunities, fundamental rights and data protection. The agreement requires the Parliament’s consent, before the procedure is concluded on behalf of the EU.
The agreement will formally enter into force on the first day of the second month after the EU and the Republic of Moldova have been notified that the internal legal procedures have been completed.
