Frontex and Europol Tighten Cooperation in Cross-Border Crime Fight

In July, EU agencies Frontex and Europol signed a new agreement to strengthen cooperation against migrant smuggling, human trafficking, terrorism, and other cross-border crimes.

New Agreement Replaces 2015 Framework

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and Europol, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, are launching a new phase of cooperation in countering cross-border crime. In July, both agencies signed a new agreement replacing the one from 2015.

According to both agencies, the new agreement adapts cooperation to the realities of current challenges and the updated mandates of Europol and Frontex. The agreement also incorporates recommendations from the European Data Protection Supervisor, including detailed rules and safeguards for any personal data exchanges, which may occur only under strictly defined conditions.

Frontex sees the border. Europol sees the criminal networks hidden behind it. Each of us holds pieces of the same puzzle, and this solution places them on the same table. Our officers and analysts are already working hand in hand, from joint operations to joint analysis; now what one agency sees, the other can quickly and efficiently utilize, assessed Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens.

Three Areas of Cooperation

Under the working agreement, Frontex and Europol will strengthen cooperation in three main areas.

Regarding the first area of enhanced cooperation, the agencies are to exchange operational personal data of individuals suspected of involvement in cross-border crime. These include, for example, individuals suspected of participating in migrant smuggling whose actions endanger lives.

At the same time, the transferred data may be used exclusively for the purpose for which it was provided. Any further use must be approved by the agency that provided it and comply with the original purpose.

Cooperation via EUROSUR

Ultimately, the agencies will cooperate through EUROSUR. This is the European Border and Coast Guard system within which national authorities and Frontex exchange border-related information, including with other competent EU agencies and bodies. According to detailed rules yet to be agreed upon, Frontex will generate and share specific situational pictures with Europol, helping both agencies and national authorities identify events, assess risks, and plan responses.

Criminal networks do not distinguish between border security and law enforcement – they exploit every loophole they can find. Therefore, information gathered at the external borders of the EU can serve as the first signal of criminal or terrorist activity. Thanks to closer cooperation with Frontex, Europol can support EU member states in detecting, investigating, and dismantling the networks behind them, stated Acting Europol Executive Director Jürgen Ebner.

Coordination of actions by both agencies is to take place within joint operations and EU-wide actions against cross-border crime, including within EMPACT – the EU’s multidisciplinary platform against criminal threats. The agencies will also exchange experts and liaison officers, jointly train personnel, and cooperate in research and innovation.

Roles of Frontex and Europol

Frontex, as a rule, assists EU member states and Schengen-associated countries in managing the EU’s external borders, including carrying out returns. At the request of a member state, Frontex can coordinate joint operations, deploy officers and equipment, and provide information and risk analysis to support decision-making processes.

Meanwhile, Europol supports EU member states in preventing and combating serious and organized crime, cybercrime, and terrorism. The agency provides criminal analysis, coordinates cross-border investigations, and serves as a hub for criminal intelligence exchange among law enforcement authorities of EU countries.