Microsoft Word - CAAR_2018_FINAL_Adopted_Reg. No. 5865_13.06.19

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and resettlement). The proposal’s key innovation is the establishment of a formal governance mechanism ("Steering Board") to assist in coordinating the work of the ILO networks and which may issue ad-hoc tasking to networks of ILOs. Significantly for Frontex, the Liaison Officers deployed abroad by Frontex constitute ILOs in the meaning of the Regulation and can be included within the ILO networks. Moreover, Frontex would also be represented in the proposed ILO Steering Board. Another important field of JHA policy development is related to the EU large scale IT systems supporting security and border and migration management. 2018 was marked by important steps forwards as the Regulations( 4) establishing the European Travel information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) were adopted, published in the Official Journal of the EU and entered into force on 9 October 2018. ETIAS is a completely new electronic system which will allow and keep track of visitors to the Schengen area from visa-exempt non-EU countries. It resembles the U.S Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which serves a similar purpose. The system will carry out preliminary checks on travellers to determine whether their travel and stay in the EU would constitute an irregular migration, security or public health risk. To do so, travellers would fill in an online application form providing certain advanced information (e.g. name, travel document, intended travel destination, answering certain background questions). The Regulation foresees the setting up of an ETIAS Central Unit within and managed by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. Operating on a 24/7 basis, the ETIAS Central Unit will:  Ensure that the data stored in the application files and the data recorded are correct and up to date;  Verify the travel authorisation applications with regards to a traveller's identity in cases of a hit obtained during the automated process;  Define, test, implement, evaluate and revise specific risk indicators of the ETIAS screening rules;  Carry out regular audits on the management of applications and on the implementation of the ETIAS screening rules, particularly as regards their impact on fundamental rights, privacy rules and data protection. In line with the interoperability strategy, ETIAS is designed to be interoperable with existing systems, and systems currently being developed, such as the Entry Exit System (EES). To the maximum extent possible and when technically feasible, the ETIAS will reuse the hardware and software components of the EES and its communication infrastructure. Interoperability will also be established with the other information systems to be consulted by ETIAS such as VIS, Europol data, SIS, Eurodac and ECRIS-TCN. In order to achieve full interoperability across the EU large scale IT systems, a number of proposals were under negotiation in 2018, most notably the Interoperability Regulations (Interoperability between EU information systems (police and judicial cooperation, asylum and migration); interoperability between EU information systems :borders and visa). These texts aimed to ensure that end-users, particularly border guards, law enforcement officers, immigration officials and judicial authorities have fast, seamless, systematic and controlled access to needed information from large scale IT systems. In order to achieve the objectives, a number of components should be established:    a European search portal,    a shared biometric matching service,    a common identity repository,    a multiple-identity detector,    a central repository for reporting and statistics (CRRS). Another important development in this domain is the revision of the three Schengen Information System (SIS) Regulations which were agreed and entered into force in December 2018. These proposals cover the use of the system (a) for border management, (b) for police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, and (c) for the return of illegally staying third country nationals. Importantly, these Regulations provide an access to SIS for (i) risk analysis (ii) ETIAS purposes, and (iii) for Frontex deployed teams, i.e. the staff involved in return-related tasks and Migration Management Support Teams members. A technical interface providing this access will now need to be established. Finally, progress was also made in discussions on the revised Visa Information System but an agreement has yet to be reached on this file. The revision of the Eurodac Regulation is also still under negotiation. 4 European Parliament and Council Regulations 2018/1240 and 2018/1241 11
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Interoperability and information systems ETIAS During 2018, the preparations for the implementation of the ETIAS Central Unit started. A decision to create an ETIAS and Interoperability Task Force was made and the first staff members were assigned to the taskforce. Members of the Task Force participated in meetings organised by the European Commission, and included representatives of eu-LISA, Europol and the members states in order to define the implementing and delegated acts foreseen by the regulation that are necessary to finalise the specifications for the tendering of the development of the ETIAS. ACCESS to EES The project for granting access to EBCG teams has been initiated in 2018 by the Agency. In view of the establishment by 2020 of an Entry-Exit-System (EES) in the Schengen area to register the entry and exit data of third-country nationals in relation to short stays (maximum 90 days within any 180 days), Frontex Training Unit participated in meetings with eu-LISA and CEPOL to find a common approach on training development and delivery. The three Agencies agreed upon a common Training Needs Assessment exercise (which was kicked-off by means of a joint awareness raising webinar) and on a close cooperation and coordination in training development and delivery. Frontex Research and Innovation Unit organised the Getting it right: harmonised implementation of Entry/Exit System (EES) workshop in June 2018, in Sofia, Bulgaria. The workshop was attended by over 60 representatives of the Member States, EU Agencies and EU-funded projects representatives and, in cooperation with eu-LISA, it co-organised the conference on the EU Borders − Getting Smarter through Technology in October 2018 In Tallinn. The conference was attended by over 200 participants representing the Member States, EU agencies and the private sector. Additionally, RIU representatives contributed to various working groups on EES − including the Smart Borders Committee, eu-LISA’s Advisory Group on EES and EES handbook and, upon request of the EU member states, it set up a workshop with industry and the member states on border control devices and systems for entry/exit related to registration equipment and systems which could be deployed at border crossing points to comply with the EES regulation. In this area, Frontex continues to facilitate the process and conduct tests, developing and proposing common solutions that could help Member States with requirements and Industry with specifications and create a reference list of equipment. Eurosur/Copernicus input JORA 2 development continued throughout 2018 with five modules being finalised and rolled out to end users (both internal and external) in the Member States. The business processes currently supported by JORA 2 cover ECRet (Readmission Reports, Flexible Operational Activities in Return −FOAR− identification missions & FOAR implementations) and RAU (Air Borders Risk Analysis Network −ABRAN− reporting & WB Info Exchange Reports) activities. Progress was also made on other modules not yet rolled out to end users. The GeoHUB version 1 development began in 2018. The aim of version 1 of this platform is to automatically retrieve earth observation data (satellite imagery and annotations) from EMSA and the European Union Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) and to process and catalogue this data for further dissemination in a more efficient way. In addition to that, the platform is also able to process full-motion video coming from manned and unmanned aerial platforms. Further improvement of this platform is planned to be carried out in 2019. Frontex has been engaged in the development of the renewed EU Policy Cycle as stipulated in the Council conclusions 8654/17 on setting the EU’s priorities for the fight against organised and serious international crime between 2018 and 2021. Consequently the agency was actively participating in the 4-year Multi-Annual Strategic Plans (MASPs) under the European Commission’s guidance and annual Operational Action Plans (OAPs) launched in autumn 2017. Frontex has participated in the drafting as well as the first year of implementation process in relation to 7 Crime Priority Areas identified within the framework of the EU Policy Cycle/EMPACT 2018-2021. These seven areas include: document fraud (cross-cutting area), facilitated illegal immigration, and trafficking in human beings, firearms, excise fraud, environmental and organised property crime. As part of Frontex commitment to the respective Operational Action Plans of these Crime Priority Areas, Frontex committed to lead three Joint Action Days (JADs) which have been undertaken during 2018. Frontex also supported other JADs coordinated by Europol or EU member states. Moreover, Frontex’s engagement in the prevention and detection of cross border crime contributed to the objectives of the EU Policy Cycle/EMPACT facilitating the fight against organised and serious international crime and thus enhancing the multiagency cooperation. 12
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1.3. Mandate of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency 13
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2. Strategic action areas 2.1. European integrated border management Summary On the basis of shared responsibilities within the European Border and Coast Guard, Frontex has continued to support and coordinate the implementation of the European integrated border management (IBM) through various operational activities during the course of the year. By far the largest operational activities were the 12 joint operations at the external land, air and sea borders while the main operational focus for Frontex in 2018 was on the Central, Eastern and Western Mediterranean areas which experienced the most significant migratory pressure. In 2018, Frontex significantly enhanced the border control activities of the EU Member States and Schengen associated countries by providing technical and operational support totalling over 465,236 working days and 52,254 asset days. The number of working days committed to operational activities decreased by almost 22% compared to 2017 (from 337,943 in 2017 to 263,833 days in 2018), supported by coordinating staff from the host countries who contributed additional 55,787 working days to the activities (increase of 14% compared to 2017). To add to this, the number of heavy equipment crew members deployed increased by more than 21% (3713 in 2017 and 4497 in 2018) performing 12% fewer working days in the operational areas compared to last year (165,136 in 2017 and 145,616 in 2018). In 2018, Member States/Schengen associated countries (SACs) contributed to 10,960 asset days of heavy technical equipment. The number of patrolling hours performed by aerial and maritime means for surveillance purposes have amounted to 69,130, which increased almost by 6% as compared to 65,424 in 2017. In terms of land means (patrol cars, thermo-vision vans and light equipment such as surveillance cameras, detectors and cameras) contributed to 41,294 asset-days. In addition, a great number of Frontex own technical resources for border control were deployed to JOs including also TCs such as different document inspection devices (handheld magnifier, portable hand-held/on-body document inspection system, portable desktop or mobile document inspection system), CO2 probes, heart beat detectors and different equipment for border surveillance (night vision and binoculars). The budget dedicated to the activities of the Operational Response Division in 2018 was 174 761 622 EUR (including 49 404 080 EUR for the activities of ECRet) this represents almost 55 % of the overall budget of the Agency for 2018 (320 198 000 EUR) and is almost 38% higher compared to the budget for operations in 2017. Frontex developed also a number of new tools for the management of resources and a more precise and extensive reporting of deployment information. Thus, 2018 was a year of significant change, challenges and readjustment in the implementation of activities. At the same time Frontex continued to assist Member States and Schengen associated countries (MSs/SACs) in developing their own capacity and effectiveness in the area of border control through the exchange of good practices, expanding its network of contacts both in the MS/SACs and third countries, as well as learning by example. In the framework of Frontex JOs in 2018, the operational activities resulted in the detection of 1,187 facilitators and human smugglers and a wide variety of other types of cross-border crimes, illegal goods and substances such as: 88,656 litres of alcohol, 528 pieces of ammunition, 117 kilograms of cocaine, more than 154 tons of hashish and marijuana, nearly one ton of heroin (937 kilos) and more than 3,130 tons of other types of drugs. Furthermore, 397 stolen cars were detected and 561 cases were reported involving the detection of parts and pieces of stolen cars. Enhancing the operational effectiveness, three EMPACT operations (JADs) were successfully implemented by Frontex as a part of joint operations. Within the joint operations, Frontex has ensured the running of the EURTF platform for European Migration Management Teams as well as it has supported the Member States in the management of the flows of disembarked migrants, including proper referral mechanisms, by enabling reliable identification and registration of persons as well as identification of persons in need for international protection. Moreover, referral to law enforcement authorities in cases of security threat (in particular concerning suspected terrorists) or other criminal activities (and collection of personal data to be shared for the purpose of criminal investigation) has been implemented. Ensuring full compliance with fundamental rights has been an integral part of the activities. Frontex maritime surveillance operations have significantly increased the search and rescue capacities of Member States. The vessels in maritime operations have helped rescuing more than 37,000 migrants during their patrolling activities. Cooperating collectively with all relevant MS authorities in the planning of operations and in particular during their implementation, Frontex operations have provided concrete platform for inter-agency cooperation between the national authorities and with Frontex, as well as with other EU Agencies. The operational coast guard and law enforcement/cross- 14
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border crime activities implemented as a part of joint operations brought additional European and national authorities and organisations together cooperating under the same operational concept. Operational reporting during the activities provided significant data for risk analysis and for the management of EUROSUR situational picture. Joint operations also provided a practical framework for implementing Frontex working arrangements with third country partners. Third country observers deployed to Frontex Joint Operations enabled sharing best European practices and skills to third country officers in more than 32 border crossing points and border control unit thus improving the practical cooperation between the competent authorities involved in controlling of irregular migration flows and tackling other cross-border crime. Within different operations 42 third country officers were deployed to MS enabling them to familiarise themselves with European operational methods. Intense use of the platform to exchange information between Focal Points and Police Customs Cooperation Centres is to be noted which ultimately contributed to the Member States and EU agencies fight of cross border crime and terrorism. Highlights: Joint Operations 2018 Supporting Western Balkans air borders (JO Coordination Points Air 2018) In August 2017, Serbia decided to abolish visas for Iranians. Due to an increase of Iranian nationals in possession of forged/counterfeit documents identified arriving at EU airports and land border BCPs via Serbia, Frontex decided to enhance its presence at the Belgrade airport and to provide support and expertise to the Serbian authorities with additional deployments of border guard experts as observers. In total 103 incidents were reported and several unlawful departures toward EU destinations were prevented by the Serbian authorities. Finally in October 2018, the Serbian government has cancelled visa-free entry for Iranian passport holders, slightly over a year later after abolishing the visa regime. UEFA Championship League Final (JO Coordination Points Air 2018) In April 2018, Frontex received a formal request from the Ukrainian Authorities to support the local Border Guards in border checks on the occasion of the UEFA Championship League Final in May 2018 at the Kiev Olimpiyskiy Stadium. Two Spanish Team Members were deployed at Kiev − Boryspil Airport as EU Advisers. For the first time in 2018, seconded Team Members were deployed in different TC airports. Their deployment resulted in an increased mutual understanding of different aspects of border control, enhanced operational cooperation during the deployment of Frontex experts as Second Line Officers and Advanced Level Document Experts. Drug smuggling − sailing vessel EL CANONERO (JO Themis 2018) On 29 November 2018, following a drugs investigation led by Europol, the French authorities and Italian Guardia di Finanza (GdF), ICC Rome received a request to locate and monitor a sailing vessel suspected of smuggling drugs. On the same day, based on the coordinates provided by Frontex to ICC Rome, the FASS FWA ‘Tasty’ detected the mentioned sailing vessel. The target was intercepted by the GdF maritime assets, 3 smugglers (2 ESP and 1 COL) were arrested and more than 6.3 tons of hashish worth approximately EUR 50 million were seized. Drug smuggling − cargo vessel NOKA (JO Poseidon 2018) On 4−5 December 2018, the suspected commercial vessel was spotted by UAV Heron deployed within JO Poseidon 2018 (RIU Pilot Project) and monitored (shadowed) at the later stage by MAS (Multipurpose Aerial Surveillance) FWA. The HCG Off-shore Patrol Vessels deployed in the area, intercepted the suspected container vessel and escorted it to the Crete Island for a further thorough investigation. After a few days of intensive searches on the container vessel, the following drugs were discovered: 6.05 tons of hashish and 3,127,360 pills of CAPTAGON which is also known as ‘the drug of the jihadists’, worth approximately EUR 100 million. In addition, 11 crew members were arrested. The concept of the IBM has been also practically complemented by the contribution of Frontex to EU Policy Cycle/EMPACT. Aside from the engagement in Operational Actions, the Agency got involved in the Joint Action Days initiatives developed by the Council under the EU Policy Cycle/EMPACT. Frontex led three Joint Action Days (JADs) and supported several others that were led either by Europol or MS under the Cycle/EMPACT Priorities. Three JADs Danube 3’, ‘Mobile’ and ‘Olympus’ were organised with the co-leadership of the MS and Europol (in case of JAD ‘Mobile’). Moreover, Frontex provided support to JAD ‘Western Balkans, Large Scale JAD, JADs on THB. In search of synergies with other stakeholders, Frontex took advantage of its coordinated land and joint operations, namely Joint Operation Focal Points 2018 Land, Joint Operation Flexible Operational Activities 2018 Land on Border Checks, Joint Operation Flexible 15
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Operational Activities 2018 Land on Border Surveillance and Joint Operation Coordination Points 2018 Land, Joint Operation Pegasus and embraced several additional elements peculiar only to JADs, entailing partners from police, border guard and customs authorities to jointly tackle the cross-border crime. During the above activities customs-police collaboration was enhanced also via the participation of CELBET experts and the already existing cooperation with Europol and INTERPOL was further increased. JADs coordinated by Frontex resulted in the establishment of the Coordination Centre allowing the MS and TC as well as Europol to exchange information and foster the operational cooperation by deploying Frontex Document Fraud Task Force officers. The agency progressed regarding law enforcement services for MS, EU agencies and entities by developing robust modules for operationalising working arrangements and providing fully-fledged services to border guard, police and customs field cooperation with the aim to counteract the variety of cross-border crime and terrorism threats according to the EBCG mandate. Additionally, in 2018 the agency provided enhanced support to the MS in the frame of operational cooperation with agencies responsible for investigation and prosecution, making the best use of the Frontex multipurpose operations and other related actions to support their activities. The ISA-CBC (Investigation Support Activities for Cross-Border Crime) Pilot Project successfully initiated in 2018 is combining the analytical and surveillance tools offered already by the agency with the equipment provision and financial support to MS when targeting concrete cases of illegal trafficking via EU external borders. This pilot project constitutes a step for the Agency to become a fully-fledged service provider for all MS in terms of tackling cross-border crime in the maritime, land and air-border domains − in line with the requests from the MS services having the competence in cross- border prevention and detection. Highlights: Law Enforcement Activities 2018 Cooperation with EU Customs services With respect to counteracting cross-border crime, in accordance with the EU IBM and in light of the Frontex mandate, the agency has increased the operational interaction with EU customs services. The customs operational cooperation development is key to a successful and modern protection of the borders and at the same time to preventing and detecting as well as investigating cross-border crimes. In 2018, Frontex established itself as a reliable partner for the EU customs services and bodies and increased the strategic and operational collaboration in the frame of or with CCWP, Customs Eastern and South-eastern Land Border Expert Team (CELBET 2), within (Joint Police Customs Operation) (JPCO)/Joint Customs Operations (JCOs)/Joint Investigation Activities (JIAs), Frontex Joint Operations and other tools. Contributing and supporting initiatives which have the customs enforcement component included, such as Police Customs Cooperation Centres (PCCCs), EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) to Moldova and Ukraine, South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) and others. Lastly, the agency established a new Centre of Excellence for Combatting Document Fraud (CED) with the aim of reinforcing the multipurpose character of Frontex joint operations, enhancing the involvement of the agency in field activities undertaken against document and related identity frauds. Highlights: Centre of Excellence for Combatting Document Fraud Activities 2018 Frontex Document Alert (FDA) In the course of 2018 Frontex streamlined the way to collect and disseminate information on document fraud cases detected in its operational activities. The agency designed three simple Document Alert Templates for the EBCGT reporting team members (a Document Fraud Alert, a Transportation Means Alert and a Modus Operandi Alert template). The new Frontex Document Alert system also simplifies the reported fraud cases for the use of different law enforcement agencies in the Member States. Frontex established a formal process for the reporting, validation and dissemination of those Document Alerts by using the technical expertise of specialists and advanced level document experts pooled in its Centre of Excellence for Combatting Document Fraud (CED). Contextually, a new service, the Frontex Document Alert Helpdesk, is available for all deployed EBCGT members who can receive support on document fraud cases directly to the Frontex Document Fraud Task Force available during working hours (09.00 − 17.00). In 2018, there was a high level of expectations and developments in the field of return. With an increasing number of cases in the MS/SAC, Frontex increased both its capacity as well as the catalogue of supporting activities in order to assist the MS/SAC in effectively implementing returns. As one of the last parts of the migration management chain, returns had been one of the areas where cooperation between national, European and non-European stakeholders was most crucial. The agency facilitated this through the focus on supporting ICT developments that provide common frameworks for current and future cooperation, presenting 16
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and fine-tuning the model of the Return Case Management System (model-RECAMAS), functioning as a guideline for MS to align national case management systems. Through cooperation with internal and external stakeholders (such as EU- funded projects, Third Countries) over 1,500 cases were reviewed to support identification and documentation of returnees, leading to over 900 confirmed identifications and the issuance of over 460 travel documents. Member States’ capacities to implement effective returns continued to be supported by Frontex. This was achieved by expanding the pilot project on returns by scheduled flights which allowed Member States to successfully return third country nationals by making use of the special agreements Frontex has concluded with different airlines. In addition, the agency continued to organise and coordinate return operations by charter flights including collecting return operations requiring close cooperation with third countries. Frontex continued to enhance its role in promoting standards and developing guidelines for forced return operations which seek to harmonise procedures during the operations while ensuring full respect of fundamental rights. These achievements contribute to the strengthening of the European integrated border management concept, with returns as one of its key domains. Highlights: Return Operations 2018 Return Case Management System Frontex presented its model Return Case Management System (model-RECAMAS) which serves as a guideline to align functionalities of national systems. Regarding the capacity development dimension, in parallel with the development and adoption of the technical and operational IBM strategy, the agency’s training arm worked together with MS and SAC authorities to translate the requirements from the EBCG Regulation on the European Integrated Border Management into national strategies, an obligation they must comply with within six months from the adoption of the technical and operational IBM strategy. To this end, Frontex delivered four courses to MS and SAC that benefitted 98 experts. The ultimate goal of this course was to ensure that enough appropriately trained experts are available and capable to support their national authorities in drafting national IBM strategies and action plans in line with EU standards. One awareness session on EU IBM was also delivered to 22 third countries representatives from the Eastern Partnership Countries and Western Balkans. Two courses for Schengen evaluators were delivered in 2018 to prepare 95 national experts in conducting Schengen evaluation missions, while another two iterations of the Frontex course on Customs and Border Guard cooperation at the EU external land border crossing points were held, a total of 44 officials were trained to enhance cooperation at border crossing points. Frontex Research and Innovation Unit provided support and technical assistance to the Western Balkans in the context of the IPA II Programme ‘Regional support to protection-sensitive migration management in the Western Balkans and Turkey’, under Phase I, Intervention 2 ‘Enhancing the capacity and tools in IPA II beneficiary countries to perform the registration of mixed migration flows in a harmonised manner, observing future interoperability with EU/Schengen MS systems and practices, and in full respect of fundamental rights’. The activities and the results achieved were focused on the development of a Roadmap for improving the Identification and Registration process of mixed migration flows in the beneficiary countries. As a continuation of implementing the Regional Action Plan for the Western Balkan region and the National Action Plans, key priority areas have been identified: the need to assess and upgrade the IT and communication national infrastructures for the management of mixed migration flows and the need to establish national integrated border management information systems connecting all relevant authorities in the respective countries. The assessment will be provided through the delivery of a Feasibility Study that was launched in December 2018 and will be concluded in the six beneficiary countries by June 2019. The results, conclusions and recommendations of the Feasibility Study will further allow the development of activities foreseen for Phase II of IPA II project. To contribute to a uniform and high level of control of the EU external borders, the agency works together with MS/SAC on the development of minimum technical and operational requirements for maritime, terrestrial and aerial technical equipment to be purchased by MS via ISF (Internal Security Fund). In 2018, the Working Group established for this purpose focused on maritime assets. The ISF aims at supporting Member States to achieve a uniform and high level of control of the European Union (EU) external borders. In 2018, the European Commission (EC) has secured additional EUR 128.7 million for the purchase of technical equipment via the ISF Border and Visa instrument/Specific Actions (SA). Such approach is in line with the agency’s operations aimed to contribute to the effective implementation of main components of the Integrated Border Management i.e. operational activities at air, land and sea borders, and solidarity and quality control mechanisms. 17
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2.2. European cooperation on coast guard functions Summary Interagency cooperation has been strengthened following the Annual Strategical Plan 2018 of the Tripartite Working Arrangement (TWA) between the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) on Coast Guard functions, including the successful work conducted within the Frontex chaired Technical Subcommittee on capacity sharing and legal issues. As the first Chair of the TWA Steering Committee, EFCA hosted the Annual European Coast Guard event that was held in Isla de la Toja, Pontevedra, Spain on 11 and 12 April 2018. The aim of the event was to serve as the main forum for discussions on subject matter, to receive feedback from the stakeholders and to identify possible activities for the future cooperation among the Agencies to support national authorities in carrying out coast guard functions. Frontex actively participated and contributed with its expertise to several coast guard functions forums at the European (e.g. BSRBCC, ECGFF, and MEDCGFF) and international (NACGF, CGGS) levels and in other regional initiatives related to the coast guard functions. Frontex also internally coordinated the implementation of the coast guard functions within the agency’s activities. Frontex took part together with EFCA, EMSA and Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden in Operation ‘Baltic Tracking 2018’ (17−30 September 2018). The aim was the establishment of a common ‘Maritime Multirisk Awareness’ in the frame of BSRBCC with the focus on implementation of the CGFs as border control, fisheries control, pollution control at sea, response to oil spills, SAR. The outcomes of Operation ‘Baltic Tracking 2018’ were as follows: Total no. of                                                    Total no. of Daily                                                           Daily average TE (readiness                  Dedicated TE for SAR             dedicated TE TE available                                average TE                                                      no. of TE state and on                   operations                       for SAR used                                                            used for SAR duty)                                                           operations Cars:                              246            18        Cars:                                   4               0 Vessels:                           694            50        Vessels:                              1,538           110 Aircrafts:                          98             7        Aircrafts:                             163             12 Other:                             229            16        Other:                                  6               0 Total units available:            1,267           91        Total SAR units available:            1,711           122 Activity:                            Border         Fishing       Pollution       Customs          Other          SAR No of Inspections                      312            125              8             20              83              2 Measures                                10             2               3             3               15 % Measures of Insp.                    3%             2%              38%           15%             18%             0% Frontex organised and implemented two SAR workshops within JO Poseidon in Samos (24 − 25 September 2018) and Lesvos (23 24 October 2018). The aim was to enhance coordination and cooperation among all operational actors involved in SAR operations, as well as to boost capacity in order to save lives at sea and improve the humanitarian response to those rescued at sea. The practical exercise was based on a scenario, as realistic as possible, inspired by the current challenges faced by the crews in each of the Islands. A total of 19 naval/aerial assets and 100 crew members from HCG staff/participating MSs took part in both events. In 2018, as a pilot project, Seconded Team Members (STMs) with the European Coast Guard Functions Officer (ECGFO) profile were deployed in JO Poseidon (ICC Piraeus), JO Themis (ICC Rome) and JO Indalo (ICC Madrid). Additionally, one STM has been redeployed for a short period on board of EFCA OPV during the operation Baltic Tracking. Highlights: Coast Guard activities 2018 Collaboration within the framework of BSRBCC was continued and enhanced with the participation of more Frontex units (FDU, FCS, RAU) within the framework of the Operation Baltic Tracking 2018. For a second year in a row 2 SAR Workshops were successfully implemented within the framework of JO Poseidon. For the first time, 1 ECGFO officer was deployed for three months in each of the main maritime Frontex JO (Indalo, Themis and Poseidon). 18
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Regarding the capacity development dimension, a new course for European Coast Guard Functions Officers (ECGFO) was successfully launched in Pratica di Mare, Italy, in April 2018. The aim of the course was to establish common training standards of Member States Border and Coast Guard services and to enhance the level of competence of the learners, thereby strengthening the opportunities for operational cooperation during Frontex Joint Maritime Operations. Among the training products related to the preparation for deployment in Joint Maritime Operations, to enhance cooperation skills, further develop competences related to maritime border surveillance activities, employ advanced maritime/aeronautical communication skills and prepare participants for their future deployment in Frontex Joint Maritime Operations, Frontex training Unit delivered the following courses: ● Border Surveillance Officers − Maritime Operations (three iterations in 2018, totalling 61 officers trained) ● European Coast Guard Function Officers (four iterations, totalling 46 officers trained) As part of the border package adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, the mandates of Frontex, European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and European Maritime Safety Agency’s (EMSA) were amended by introducing in their regulation a request for them to work together with the aim to provide more efficient and cost-effective support to the MS authorities carrying out coast guard functions. Frontex Air Crew Preparation for Joint Operations course is a good example of cooperation among the three Agencies in the area of capacity building, embedding both the EFCA and EMSA contributions related to fisheries and environmental pollution control operational procedures. In the course of 2018, three courses were delivered to air crews, totalling 41 crew members trained. A three-day intensive workshop on mobile boarding for representatives from authorities of 18 Member States performing coast guard functions was held in Lübeck (Germany) under the German chairmanship of the European Coast Guard Functions Forum (ECGFF). The workshop was supported by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), with the participation of the European Fisheries and Control Agency (EFCA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The purpose of the workshop was to: - discuss common border protection standards based on the Frontex ’Best Practices & Guidelines’; clarify training needs and requirements for a possible common training concept on boarding based on a pre-delivered questionnaire; identify experts for possible training development; - further reflect on common standards. Frontex Training Unit played an active role within Frontex 2018 Annual Coast Guard Conference: Search & Rescue, Maritime Surveillance, supporting the identification of training needs expressed by the coast guard community. The Maritime Domain was also at the core of Frontex Annual Training Conference 2018, where experts from different areas had the opportunity to share experience and best practices. Frontex Training Unit contributed to the development of the Coast Guard Sectoral Qualifications Framework in the context of the EFCGA-Net project, ensuring comparability and compatibility with the specific qualification framework (SQF) for border guarding. Representing Frontex in the governing and advisory boards of the project, providing advice on the development of a quality assurance system for the coast guard SQF and its further implementation − including the development of learning outcome-based training courses in areas of common interest. Under the auspices of the EU Austrian Presidency, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and Frontex hosted a kick-off event on 12 October in Warsaw for a training programme aiming to enhance the preparation of law enforcement and naval personnel to operate together for an effective border security in the maritime domain and provide efficacious response to threats and challenges at sea. Frontex Research and Innovation Unit set up the working group for the development of minimum technical requirements for maritime equipment. Composed of experts from Frontex and MS, the working group met four times and conducted two study visits to the Greek island of Lesvos and to Helsinki. The development of a technical report on the minimum technical and operational requirements for maritime equipment was finalised in the course of 2018 and its publication (Limited) is foreseen for Q2 2019. A pilot activity assessing the existing Maritime Analysis Tools − maritime ‘big data’ (e.g. maritime reporting systems data, information on ship ownership/management, historical movements of vessels and relevant open sources information), and the capacity to build on them to produce information of interest for border/coast guard and law enforcement authorities was carried out, obtaining excellent results. In the context of interagency cooperation and sharing of capacities, Frontex framework contract for Aerial Surveillance Services supported the European Fisheries Control Agency’s (EFCA’s) activities in the central Mediterranean. The execution of the coast guard functions was as well supported by Frontex Situation Centre (FSC) with the provision 19
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of Multipurpose Aerial Surveillance (MAS) service in the Central Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Aegean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean (area south of Portugal). The sightings performed by MAS aircraft were shared with Member States partners, which included national authorities from Italy and Malta, and European partners, which included EUNAVFOR MED and EFCA. The sightings resulted in operational follow-up activities of the Member States and the European partners. Eighty-one cases of search and rescue and law enforcement activities following the detections were reported. These led to a rescue/interception of 4924 migrants at sea. In the frame of implementation of the tri-partite working arrangement, related to coast guard functions activities during 2018 the highlights of the achievements are depicted in the tables below. Objectives 2018                      Lead organisation / Outcomes Strategic / Horizontal Develop a concept and format for     The first Annual European Coast Guard Event was held in La Toja, Pontevedra, Spain, an annual European Coast Guard       on the 11 and 12 April 2018. A total of 118 participants attended the event from 22 event, to be tested for the first    Member States and Norway and the European institutions. It was the first event after time in Vigo (Spain) to involve      the signature of the Tripartite Working Arrangement, having the communities of the national authorities performing      three agencies together for consultation and feed-back on the cooperation. The event coast guard functions and other      was structured into an opening session, a technical session and a wrap up and closure EU and international partners for    session. The technical session covered in succession the five cooperation areas consultation and feedback on         defined by the co-legislator and was the main forum for consultation and feed-back Agencies’ cooperation activities.    from national authorities. Referring to conclusions of the 1st annual event, the 2nd annual European Coast Guard event organised by Frontex in cooperation with EFCA and EMSA was focused on CG topics discussed in the format of workshops representing EU Agencies and Member States. This event was held in Poland (Świnoujście) from 15 to 17 April 2019. Set up the three technical           The three technical subcommittees have been set-up and chaired by EMSA (Area 1 subcommittees to support the         &2), EFCA (Area 3 & 4) and Frontex (Area 5). implementation of the Annual Strategic Plan. Identification of new areas of       There are bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Service Level mutual interest for interagency      Agreements (SLAs) signed between the agencies covering different subjects, such as cooperation including new or         information sharing or procurement procedures. amendment          of      existing  SLA EMSA/Frontex was amended to include an automatic renewal clause. Memoranda of Understanding           MoU signed between Frontex and EFCA for an inter-institutional framework contract (MoUs)/ Service Level Agreements     for Aerial Surveillance Services. (SLAs). Increase coordination of the         Communication activities were coordinated through an agreed communication plan. Agencies’          communication activities    related    to     the implementation        of        the interagency cooperation on coast guard functions. 20
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