The European Parliament has provisionally agreed on a new EU border and Coast Guard law, which will see an additional 10,000 guards and staff at Europe’s borders.

Starting with 5,000 operational staff in 2021, the 10,000 staff would be fully operational by 2027.

The law, which was drafted and piloted by Malta’s Roberta Metsola, aims to address migration and cross border crime challenges, and will see the returns of those who are deemed not eligible for protection in Europe made more efficient and increase cooperation with third countries, with full guarantees for fundamental rights.

“I am delighted that we have reached a provisional agreement on a new law that will address one of the major concern of citizens across the Union,” Metsola said. “The European Border and Coast Guard law will overhaul Europe’s border management.”

“It will mean an additional 10,000 border and coast guards for Europe; more efficient returns; more tools to fight crime and will serve to allay security and crime concerns and aid in our migration strategy,” she continued. “Europe’s citizens were looking to us to deliver and we have, in record time. This is a huge win for Europe and a huge win for Malta and Gozo.”

A final vote on the law will take place in April.

The text now needs to be formally approved by the Civil Liberties Committee, Parliament as a whole and the Council before entering into force.

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Julian Bonnici

Julian is the former editor of Lovin Malta and has a particular interest in politics, the environment, social issues, and human interest stories.