RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Serbia

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

a. Background

The proposed Council Decision aims to approve the Status Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Serbia as foreseen in the Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard.

One of the tasks of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (the ‘Agency’) is to cooperate with third countries in relation to the areas covered by the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation ‘including through the possible operational deployment of border management teams in third countries’. The Agency may cooperate with the authorities of third countries competent in matters covered by the Regulation to the extent required for the fulfilment of its tasks  and may carry out actions related to European integrated border management on the territory of a third country subject to the agreement of that third country.

The purpose of the status agreement is to cover all aspects that are necessary for carrying out the actions of the Agency in third countries. Pursuant to Article 73(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896, in circumstances requiring the deployment of border management teams from the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps to a third country where the members of the teams will exercise executive powers, a status agreement shall be concluded by the Union with the third country concerned.

In accordance with the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation and as referred to in Article 76(1)) of the Regulation the Commission presented in its communication COM(2021) 829 a model status agreement as referred to in Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 containing specific provisions for conducting actions on the territory of third countries. The status agreement with the Republic of Serbia is based on the model that the Commission has drawn up.

The Commission has briefed the rapporteurs on 16 October 2024 on the progress made in the status agreement negotiations between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia. On 14 November 2024, a meeting with stakeholders focused on fundamental rights was also held. The Agreement was signed on 25 June 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia.

b. Position of the Rapporteur

During the peak of the migration and refugee crisis in 2015, hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers and migrants arrived in the European Union via the Western Balkans with Republic of Serbia lying on one of the primary routes for irregular mixed movement. The migratory pressure on the Western Balkans routes was significant in the coming years, creating pressure at EU’s external borders and further efforts have been needed in order to control the migration flow in a legal manner, in accordance with international and European legislation.

The Rapporteur considers that the conclusion of formal, legally binding agreements in the framework of cooperation with third countries is of crucial importance in order to ensure transparency, public scrutiny and democratic oversight on such cooperation.

Structured and sustained cooperation with third countries is crucial for achieving the goals of European integrated border management. This collaboration should aim to enhance European border and return procedures, facilitate information exchange and risk analysis, and improve the efficiency of return operations. Additionally, it should support third countries in managing borders and migration, including through deploying the standing corps where needed to safeguard external borders and ensure the effective implementation of the Union's migration policy. Strengthening border management throughout migration routes is vital for reducing irregular arrivals, addressing the changing tactics of smugglers, and mitigating risks related to trafficking and organized crime. The enhanced operational cooperation established by the agreement will play a key role in tackling irregular migration and improving regional security.

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the Ministry of Interior of Republic of Serbia are required to adhere to the provisions of the EBCG Regulation and ensure its full compliance, including on fundamental rights. During the consent process in the European Parliament, the explanations provided by stakeholders on the importance of this agreement proved satisfactory. The agreement with the Republic of Serbia and presence of European Border and Coast Guard Agency officers will provide additional procedural elements in border control, such as screening and briefing operations as well as safeguard fundamental rights. Considering the significant number of people transiting through the Republic of Serbia to reach the EU, this agreement will strengthen our support to regional partners by providing essential expertise to manage these movements effectively. In line with Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard, the agreement enables Frontex to conduct joint operations and deploy the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps across Serbian territory, including its borders with neighbouring non-EU countries.

As a conclusion, your Rapporteur finds that the proposed status agreement is consistent with the model status agreement as provided for in the Commission’s communication on the content and provisions that should be included in the final agreement.

As this agreement enters into implementation phase, the Parliament requests that the European Border and Coast Guard Agency promptly informs the European Parliament of the activities conducted as part of the implementation of the Status Agreement and reminds the Agency of its obligation to include an assessment of the cooperation with third countries in its annual reports in accordance with article 73(8) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896.

In light of the above, the rapporteur recommends that Parliament endorse the draft Council Decision text.

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that he received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the report, prior to the adoption thereof in committee:

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Key to symbols:

+ : in favour

- : against

0 : abstention