The action plan was signed by Europol Executive Director, Catherine de Bolle, and Frontex Executive Director, Fabrice Leggeri, at the margins of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Romanian Minister of Interior Affairs and Chair of the JHA Council, Carmen Daniela Dan, and the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission, Paraskevi Michou.

 

Europol’s databases and criminal investigations will be strengthened by information gathered by Frontex during operational activities at the external borders. Information from Europol will facilitate more efficient management of the EU’s external borders and intelligence-based, targeted action against criminal groups and terrorists.

 

This structural exchange of information between the two agencies will improve the work of border guards and support investigations.

 

Efforts of both agencies in the fields of research and development of new technologies will also be closely coordinated, for instance for the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Frontex will set up and manage the ETIAS Central Unit, which will provide operational support, as well as reinforcing and coordinating border control activities in Member States.

 

Europol and Frontex also plan to hold annual meetings of executive management and exchange liaison officers.