European Border and Coast Guard standing corps to begin activities on 1 January

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex will have a new operational standing corps starting on 1 January 2021. The standing corps will support the EU Member States in managing the Union’s external borders and the return of third-country nationals. The President of the Republic approved the amendments on 30 December. The new amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2021.

Members of the standing corps will participate in joint operation teams dealing with border security, migration management support and return activities. They will also be deployed to rapid border interventions, return interventions or other related operational activities in Member States or non-EU countries.

The standing corps will be put together in stages and involve a total of 10,000 people by the end of 2027. In 2021, Finland will second to the standing corps eight long-term (2 years) officials, 72 short-term (4 months) officials and 30 officials reserved for the rapid reaction pool.

Standing corps members to assist in reception and registration of applications

In future, a member of the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps may, when necessary, assist the Finnish police and border control authorities in the reception and registration of asylum applications.

The Aliens Act includes provisions on the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman’s duty to participate in the monitoring of forced return of asylum seekers also enforced by the authorities of other EU Member States. Such monitoring may also be requested from Frontex to Finland if necessary.

From now on, it will also be possible to provide Frontex with personal data relating to return and voluntary return.

In future, Member States’ national authorities responsible for returns make part of the European Border and Coast Guard

In December 2019, the European Union adopted a European Border and Coast Guard Regulation, which also required amendments to the Finnish legislation. The regulation will reinforce the operational capacities of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), support return operations while respecting fundamental rights, and incorporate the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) into the European Border and Coast Guard framework.

In future, the European Border and Coast Guard will be composed of Frontex and the national authorities responsible for border management, as well as the national authorities responsible for returns.

Inquiries:
Jaana Heikkinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 421 603, [email protected]