Western Balkans: Commission proposals on Frontex operational cooperation with North Macedonia

The Commission proposed on 23 September the signing and conclusion of an agreement between the EU and North Macedonia on Frontex's operational activities. The proposals put forward by the Commission will strengthen Frontex's capacity in EU's immediate neighborhood, by helping North Macedonian authorities to manage irregular migration, fight smuggling and enhance security at the EU's external borders. In line with the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation, the status agreement with North Macedonia will include strong provisions for the protection of fundamental rights and compliance monitoring. The dialogue on this status agreement started in 2018. Previous status agreements were signed with partner countries in the Western Balkans: with Albania in October 2018, Montenegro in October 2019, and Serbia in November 2019.  A similar status agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina is under negotiation. (For more information: Anitta Hipper – Tel.: + 32 229 85691; Fiorella Belciu — Tel.: +32 229 93734)