The EU's border and coast guard agency has opened a new command center in Lisbon to fortify its presence on the frontline of some of Europe's most active irregular migration routes.
Frontex has set up a new operations hub in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, the European Union's border and coast guard agency announced in a statement on Thursday (June 25).
Frontex hopes the new Contingent Command will fortify its presence along one of Europe's most important external borders in irregular migration. The hub is expected to control operations in both Portugal and Spain, with a focus on maritime and air borders.
Thousands of migrants trying to reach Spain drown or disappear every year along the Atlantic and Mediterranean routes.
Why Lisbon?
The so-called "Contingent 5" command aims to bring Frontex officers and decision-making closer to the locations where border operations take hold. Spain sits on the frontline of two of Europe’s most active migration routes, while both Spain and Portugal also manage some of the bloc's busiest international airports. Frontex workers assist in border checks, preventing document fraud and tackling cross-border crimes.
Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens said: "With this Contingent, we are bringing Frontex closer to the field and to the people who manage these borders every day. Portugal and Spain are key partners, at sea and air borders. Working with them on the ground, side by side, we can respond faster and plan better," Frontex Executive Director Hans Leijtens said the statement.
'Embracing technological innovations'
Portugal’s Minister for Home Affairs, Luis Neves, has described the new hub as crucial in improving cooperation between European countries and Frontex. He says the center will help "ensure effective border security, operational readiness, and solidarity across the EU."
Spain's Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, said Europe began to work towards a common approach to control the continent's external borders, and that now, with the bloc has "gone a long way, working together, pooling our resources and capabilities, with mutual support and shared responsibility, embracing technological innovation and learning from our shared experience."
The Lisbon center marks Frontex’s expanding efforts to establish more localized leadership across the EU. Around 3,800 Frontex officers are currently working at Europe’s borders, supporting national authorities and responding to migration flows.
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