European Union aims for executive powers for Frontex in Albania

 Frontex officers (archive)

 The European Union intends to give extended powers to Frontex (European Border and Coast Guard Agency) agents in Albania. Brussels has given the authorization to negotiate a new agreement, which will replace the current one, according to which the officers of the European border guarding agency have a limited mandate only in joint operations with the Albanian authorities, Euronews Albania reports.

The decision was taken by the European Council, which says that the new agreement will enable Frontex staff to exercise executive powers, such as independent border control by Albanian authorities and registration of persons.

The authorization for the start of talks, apart from Albania, has also been given for Bosnia, Montenegro, and Serbia.

Albania became the first non-EU country to involve the Frontex agency in border protection through an agreement signed in 2019.

In 2021, the agreement was extended amid accusations that erupted against Frontex for the illegal return of migrants, their mistreatment and even sexual harassment. For these accusations, the European anti-corruption office launched an investigation.