REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004, Regulation (EC) No 863/2007 and Council Decision 2005/267/EC

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(2)  The objective of Union policy in the field of external border management is to develop and implement European integrated border management at national and Union level, which is a necessary corollary to the free movement of persons within the Union and is a fundamental component of an area of freedom, security and justice. European integrated border management is central to improving migration management and ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union.

(2)  The objective of Union policy in the field of external border management is to develop and implement European integrated border management at national and Union level, which is a necessary corollary to the free movement of persons within the Union and is a fundamental component of an area of freedom, security and justice, with a view to  monitoring efficiently the crossing of the external borders and to addressing migratory challenges and potential future threats at those borders, thereby contributing to addressing serious crime with a cross-border dimension and to ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union, in full respect for fundamental rights, while safeguarding the free movement of persons therein.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(3a)  When implementing European integrated border management, coherence with other policy objectives should be ensured including the proper functioning of cross-border transport.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(5)   European integrated border management is a shared responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the national authorities responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks. While Member States retain the primary responsibility for the management of their section of the external borders in their interest and in the interest of all Member States which have abolished internal border control, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency should ensure the application of Union measures relating to the management of the external borders by reinforcing, assessing and coordinating the actions of Member States which implement those measures.

(5)  European integrated border management is a shared responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the national authorities responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out maritime border surveillance operations and any other border control tasks. While Member States retain the primary responsibility for the management of their section of the external borders in their interest and in the interest of all Member States which have abolished internal border control, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency should ensure the application of Union measures relating to the management of the external borders by reinforcing, assessing and coordinating the actions of Member States which implement those measures. The Commission should present a legislative proposal for a European integrated border management strategy setting out general guidelines, the objectives to be met and the key actions to be taken in order to establish a fully functioning European integrated border management system.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(7)   The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union, commonly referred to as Frontex, was established by Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004.¹⁴ Since taking up its responsibilities on 1 May 2005, it has been successful in assisting Member States with implementing the operational aspects of external border management through joint operations and rapid border interventions, as well as risk analysis, information exchange, relations with third countries and the return of third-country nationals illegally staying on the territory of Member States.

(7)  The European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union, commonly referred to as Frontex, was established by Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004. ¹⁴ Since taking up its responsibilities on 1 May 2005, it has been successful in assisting Member States with implementing the operational aspects of external border management through joint operations and rapid border interventions, as well as risk analysis, information exchange, relations with third countries and the return of third-country nationals who are the subject of a return decision issued by a Member State in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council^14a.

___________________

___________________

¹⁴  Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 of 26 October 2004 establishing a European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (OJ L 349, 25.11.2004, p. 1).

¹⁴  Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 of 26 October 2004 establishing a European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (OJ L 349, 25.11.2004, p. 1).

^14a  Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in member states for returning illegally staying third-country nationals (OJ L 348, 21.12.2008, p. 98).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(8)  Having regard to the increasing migratory pressures at the external borders, to the necessity of ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union and to safeguard the functioning of the Schengen area as well as the overarching principle of solidarity, it is necessary to reinforce the management of the external borders by building on the work of Frontex and further develop it into an Agency with a shared responsibility for the management of the external borders.

(8)  It is necessary to monitor the crossing of the external borders efficiently, address migratory challenges and potential future threats at the external borders, ensure a high level of internal security within the Union, safeguard the functioning of the Schengen area and respect the overarching principle of solidarity. In light of this, it is necessary to reinforce the management of the external borders by building on the work of Frontex and further developing it into an Agency with a shared responsibility for the management of the external borders.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(9)   The tasks of Frontex should therefore be expanded and to reflect those changes, it should be renamed European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The key role of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency should be to establish an operational and technical strategy for the implementation of an integrated border management at Union level, to oversee the effective functioning of border control at the external borders, to provide increased operational and technical assistance to Member States through joint operations and rapid border interventions, and to ensure the practical execution of measures in case of a situation requiring urgent action at the external borders, as well as to organise, coordinate and conduct return operations and return interventions.

(9)  The tasks of Frontex should therefore be expanded and to reflect those changes, it should be renamed European Border and Coast Guard Agency (the Agency). The key role of the Agency should be to establish an operational and technical strategy for the implementation of an integrated border management at Union level, to oversee the effective functioning of border control at the external borders, to provide increased operational and technical assistance to Member States through joint operations and rapid border interventions, ensure the practical execution of measures in case of a situation requiring urgent action at the external borders and technical and operational assistance to Member States and third countries in the context of search and rescue operations for persons in distress at sea, as well as to organise, coordinate and conduct return operations and return interventions.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(9a)  Given its activity at the external borders, the Agency should contribute to preventing and detecting serious crime with a cross-border dimension, such as the criminal smuggling of persons, trafficking in human beings and terrorism, where it is appropriate for it to act and where it has obtained relevant information through its activities. It should coordinate its activities with Europol as the agency responsible for supporting and strengthening Member States’ actions and their cooperation in preventing and combating serious crime affecting two or more Member States.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(12)  In a spirit of shared responsibility, the role of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency should be to regularly monitor the management of the external borders. The Agency should ensure proper and effective monitoring not only through risk analysis, information exchange and Eurosur, but also through presence of experts from its own staff in Member States. The Agency should therefore be able to deploy liaison officers to specific Member States for a period of time during which the liaison officer reports to the Executive Director. The report of the liaison officers should form part of the vulnerability assessment.

(12)  In a spirit of shared responsibility, the role of the Agency should be to regularly monitor the management of the external borders. The Agency should ensure proper and effective monitoring not only through risk analysis, information exchange and Eurosur, but also through presence of experts from its own staff in Member States. The Agency should therefore be able to deploy liaison officers to all Member States for a period of time during which the liaison officer reports to the Executive Director. The report of the liaison officers should form part of the vulnerability assessment.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(13)  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should carry out a vulnerability assessment to assess the capacity of the Member States to face challenges at their external borders, including by assessing the equipment and resources of Member States as well as their contingency plans to address possible crises at the external borders. Member States should take corrective action to address any deficiencies identified in that assessment. The Executive Director, on the advice of a Supervisory Board created within the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, should identify the measures to be taken by the Member State concerned and should set a time-limit within which those measures should be taken. That decision should be binding on that Member State and where the necessary measures are not taken within the set time-limit, the matter needs to be referred to the Management Board for a further decision.

(13)  The Agency should carry out a vulnerability assessment, based on objective criteria, to assess the capacity of the Member States to face challenges at their external borders, including by assessing the equipment, infrastructure, staff, budget and financial resources of Member States as well as their contingency plans to address possible crises at the external borders. Member States should take corrective action to address any deficiencies identified in that assessment. The Executive Director, on the advice of an Advisory Board created within the Agency, should identify the measures to be taken by the Member State concerned and should set a time-limit within which those measures should be taken. That decision should be binding on that Member State and where the necessary measures are not taken within the set time-limit, the matter needs to be referred to the Management Board and to the Commission.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(13a)  The vulnerability assessment should be a preventive measure carried out by the Agency on a continuous basis, complementing the Schengen evaluation and monitoring mechanism set up pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) No 1053/2013^1a. The information obtained during the vulnerability assessment should also be used for the purposes of that mechanism, in particular when deciding on the multiannual and the annual evaluation programme.

_____________

^1a  Council Regulation (EU) No 1053/2013 of 7 October 2013 establishing an evaluation and monitoring mechanism to verify the application of the Schengen acquis and repealing the Decision of the Executive Committee of 16 September 1998 setting up a Standing Committee on the evaluation and implementation of Schengen (OJ L 295, 6.11.2013, p. 27).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(14)   The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should organise the appropriate technical and operational assistance to Member States so as to reinforce their capacity to implement their obligations with regard to the control of the external borders, and to face challenges at the external border resulting from irregular immigration or cross-border crime. In this respect, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency should, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, organise and coordinate joint operations for one or more Member States and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams as well as the necessary technical equipment, and it may deploy experts from its own staff.

(14)  The Agency should organise the appropriate technical and operational assistance to Member States so as to reinforce their capacity to implement their obligations with regard to the control of the external borders, and to face challenges at the external border resulting from irregular migration or cross-border crime. In this respect, the Agency should, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, organise and coordinate joint operations for one or more Member States and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams as well as the necessary technical equipment, and it may deploy experts from its own staff.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(15)   In cases where there is a specific and disproportionate pressure at the external borders, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency should, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, organise and coordinate rapid border interventions and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from a rapid reserve pool as well as technical equipment. Rapid border interventions should provide reinforcement in situations where immediate response is required and where such an intervention would provide an effective response. To ensure the effective operation of such intervention, Member States should make border guards and other relevant staff available to the rapid reserve pool.

(15)  In cases where there is a specific and disproportionate pressure at the external borders, the Agency should, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, organise and coordinate rapid border interventions and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from a rapid reaction pool as well as technical equipment. Rapid border interventions should provide reinforcement in situations where immediate response is required and where such an intervention would provide an effective response. To ensure the effective operation of such intervention, Member States should make border guards and other relevant staff available to the rapid reaction pool andprovide the necessary technical equipment. The Agency and the Member State concerned should agree upon an operational plan.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(16)   At particular areas of the external borders where Member States face disproportionate migratory pressures characterised by large influxes of mixed migratory flows, referred to as hotspot areas, the Member States should be able to rely on the increased operational and technical reinforcement by the migration management support teams composed of teams of experts deployed from Member States by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the European Asylum Support Office, and from Europol or other relevant Union Agencies, as well as experts from the staff of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should assist the Commission in the coordination among the different agencies on the ground.

(16)  Where Member States face disproportionate migratory challenges characterised by large influxes of mixed migratory flows the Member States should be able to rely on the increased operational and technical reinforcement in hotspot areas by the migration management support teams composed of teams of experts deployed from Member States by the Agency and the European Asylum Support Office, and from Europol or other relevant Union Agencies, as well as experts from the staff of the Agency. The Agency should assist the Commission in the coordination among the different agencies on the ground.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(16a)  In hotspot areas the different agencies and Member States should operate within their respective mandates and powers. While the Agency should facilitate the application of Union measures relating to the management of external borders and return, the European Asylum Support Office should help to improve the implementation of the Common European Asylum System and support Member States in asylum-related matters, Europol should provide expertise, strategic and operational analysis relating to cross-border organised crime and dismantling smuggling networks, and Eurojust should support cooperation between national investigating and prosecuting authorities. Member States remain responsible for taking substantive decisions regarding asylum applications and return.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(17)   In cases where a Member State does not take the necessary corrective action in line with the vulnerability assessment or in the event of disproportionate migratory pressure at the external borders, rendering the control at the external border ineffective to an extent which risks putting in jeopardy the functioning of the Schengen area, a unified, rapid and effective response should be delivered at Union level. For this purpose, and to ensure better coordination at Union level, the Commission should identify the measures to be implemented by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and require the Member State concerned to cooperate with the Agency in the implementation of those measures. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should then determine the actions to be taken for the practical execution of the measures indicated in the Commission decision, and an operational plan should be drawn up with the Member State concerned.

(17)  In cases where a Member State does not take the necessary corrective action in line with the vulnerability assessment or in the event of disproportionate migratory pressure at the external borders, rendering the control at the external border ineffective to an extent which risks putting in jeopardy the functioning of the Schengen area as an area without internal border control, a unified, rapid and effective response should be delivered at Union level. For this purpose, and to ensure better coordination at Union level, the Commission should identify the measures to be implemented by the Agency. For the adoption of such measures, taking into account sovereignty-related aspects and the political sensitivity thereof, which touch on national executive and enforcement powers, implementing powers should be conferred on the Council, which should act on a proposal from the Commission. The Member State concerned should cooperate with the Agency in the implementation of those measures. The Agency should then determine the actions to be taken for the practical execution of the measures indicated in the Council decision, and an operational plan should be agreed with the Member State concerned.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(18)   The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should have the necessary equipment and staff at its disposal to be deployed in joint operations or rapid border interventions. To this end, when launching rapid border interventions at the request of a Member State or in the context of a situation requiring urgent action, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency should be able to deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from a rapid reserve pool which should be a standing corps composed of a small percentage of the total number of border guards in the Member States, which should amount to a minimum of 1 500. The deployment of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reserve pool should be immediately complemented by additional European Border and Coast Guard Teams as appropriate.

(18)  The Agency should have the necessary equipment and staff at its disposal to be deployed in joint operations or rapid border interventions. To this end, when launching rapid border interventions at the request of a Member State or in the context of a situation requiring urgent action, the Agency should be able to deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from a rapid reaction pool which should be a standing corps composed of a percentage of the total number of border guards in the Member States, which should amount to a minimum of 1 500. The deployment of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reaction pool should be immediately complemented by additional European Border and Coast Guard Teams where necessary.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(20)  On 8 October 2015, the European Council called for enlarging the mandate of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union to assist Member States in ensuring the effective return of illegally staying third-country nationals, including by organising return operations on its own initiative and enhancing its role regarding the acquisition of travel documents. For this purpose, the European Council called for the establishment of a Return Office within the European Border and Coast Guard Agency which should be tasked with the coordination of the Agency’s activities in the field of return.

deleted

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(21)  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should step up its assistance to Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals, subject to the Union return policy and in compliance with Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.¹⁵ In particular, it should coordinate and organise return operations from one or more Member States and it should organise and conduct return interventions to reinforce the return system of Member States requiring increased technical and operational assistance when complying with their obligation to return illegally staying third-country nationals in accordance with that Directive.

(21)  The Agency should step up its assistance to Member States for returning irregularly staying third-country nationals, subject to the Union return policy and in compliance with Directive 2008/115/EC. In particular, it should coordinate and organise return operations from one or more Member States and it should organise and conduct return interventions to reinforce the return system of Member States requiring increased technical and operational assistance when complying with their obligation to return irregularly staying third-country nationals in accordance with that Directive.

___________

¹⁵ Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in member states for returning illegally staying third-country nationals (OJ L 348, 21.12.2008, p. 98).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(21a)  The Agency should provide the necessary assistance to Member States in organising joint return operations and return interventions of irregular migrants, without entering into the merits of return decisions issued by the Member States, and in full respect for fundamental rights. In addition, the Agency should assist Member States in the acquisition of travel documents for return, in cooperation with the authorities of the relevant third countries.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(22)  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should establish pools of forced return monitors, forced return experts and return specialists made available by Member States, who should be deployed during return operations and that should form part of tailor-made European Return Intervention Teams deployed in return interventions. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should provide them with the necessary training.

(22)  The Agency should establish pools of forced return monitors, forced return experts and return specialists made available by Member States, who should be deployed during return operations and that should form part of tailor-made European Return Intervention Teams deployed in return interventions. The pools should include staff with specific expertise in child protection. The Agency should provide them with the necessary training.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(23)  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should develop specific training tools and it should provide training at Union level for national instructors of border guards and additional training and seminars related to control at external borders and return of third-country nationals illegally staying on the territory of Member States for officers of the competent national bodies. The Agency should be authorised to organise training activities in cooperation with Member States and third countries on their territory.

(23)  The Agency should develop specific training tools, including specific training in the protection of children, and it should provide training at Union level for national instructors of border guards and additional training and seminars related to integrated border management tasks, including for officers of the competent national bodies. The Agency should be authorised to organise training activities in cooperation with Member States and third countries on their territory.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(24)  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should monitor and contribute to the developments in research relevant for the control of the external borders, including the use of advanced surveillance technology, and it should disseminate this information to the Member States and to the Commission.

(24)  The Agency should monitor and contribute to the developments in research relevant for European integrated border management and it should disseminate this information to the European Parliament, the Member States, the Commission, relevant Union agencies, bodies and offices, and the public.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(25)  Effective implementation of an integrated management of the external borders necessitates regular, swift and reliable exchange of information among the Member States regarding the management of the external borders, irregular immigration and return. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should develop and operate information systems facilitating such exchange in accordance with Union data protection legislation.

(25)  Effective implementation of an integrated management of the external borders necessitates regular, swift and reliable exchange of information among the Member States regarding the management of the external borders, irregular migration and return. The Agency should develop and operate information systems facilitating such exchange in accordance with Union data protection legislation. It is important that Member States provide the Agency promptlywith complete and accurate information necessary for the Agency to perform its tasks.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(28)  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency should facilitate and encourage operational cooperation between Member States and third countries in the framework of the external relations policy of the Union, including by coordinating operational cooperation between Member States and third countries in the field of management of external borders and by deploying liaison officers to third countries, as well as by cooperating with the authorities of third countries on return, including as regards the acquisition of travel documents. In their cooperation with third countries, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and Member States should comply with norms and standards at least equivalent to those set by Union legislation also when the cooperation with third countries takes place on the territory of those countries.

(28)  The Agency should facilitate and encourage technical and operational cooperation between Member States and third countries in the framework of the external relations policy of the Union, including by coordinating operational cooperation between Member States and third countries in the field of management of the external borders and by deploying liaison officers to third countries, as well as by cooperating with the authorities of third countries on return, including as regards the acquisition of travel documents. In their cooperation with third countries, the Agency and Member States should comply with Union law, including with regard to the protection of fundamental rights and the principle of non-refoulement at all times and also when the cooperation with third countries takes place on the territory of those countries. In order to increase transparency and accountability, the Agency should report on cooperation with third countries in its annual report.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(28a)  The European Border and Coast Guard and the Agency should fulfil their tasks in full respect for fundamental rights, in particular the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter), the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and obligations related to access to international protection, in particular the principle of non-refoulement, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, and the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue. In accordance with Union law and those provisions the Agency should assist Member States in conducting search and rescue operations in order to protect and save lives whenever and wherever so required.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(28b)  Given the increased number of its tasks, the Agency should further develop and implement a strategy to monitor and ensure the protection of fundamental rights. To that end it should provide its Fundamental Rights Officer with adequate resources and staff corresponding to its mandate and size. The Agency should use its role to actively promote the application of the Union acquis relating to the management of the external borders, including with regard to respect for fundamental rights and international protection.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(30)   This Regulation establishes a complaint mechanism for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, in cooperation with the Fundamental Rights Officer, to monitor and ensure the respect for fundamental rights in all the activities of the Agency. This should be an administrative mechanism whereby the Fundamental Rights Officer should be responsible for handling complaints received by the Agency in accordance with the right to good administration. The Fundamental Rights Officer should review the admissibility of a complaint, register admissible complaints, forward all registered complaints to the Executive Director, forward complaints concerning border guards to the home Member State and register the follow-up by the Agency or that Member State. Criminal investigations should be conducted by the Member States.

(30)  This Regulation establishes an independent complaint mechanism for the Agency, in cooperation with the Fundamental Rights Officer, to monitor and ensure the respect for fundamental rights in all the activities of the Agency. This should be an administrative mechanism whereby the Fundamental Rights Officer should be responsible for handling complaints received by the Agency in accordance with the right to good administration. The Fundamental Rights Officer should review the admissibility of a complaint, register admissible complaints, forward all registered complaints to the Executive Director, forward complaints concerning border guards to the home Member State and register the follow-up by the Agency or that Member State. Criminal investigations should be conducted by the Member States. The mechanism should be effective, ensuring that complaints are properly followed up and lead to penalties in cases of fundamental rights violations. In order to increase transparency and accountability, the Agency should report on the complaints mechanism in its annual report.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(31)  In order to ensure the uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, in particular as regards situations requiring urgent action at the external borders, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

deleted

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(33)  The Commission and the Member States should be represented within a Management Board to exercise policy and political oversight over the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The Board should, where possible, consist of the operational heads of the national services responsible for border guard management or their representatives. This Board should be entrusted with the necessary powers to establish the budget, verify its execution, adopt the appropriate financial rules, establish transparent working procedures for decision making by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and appoint the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director. The Agency should be governed and operated in line with the principles of the common approach on Union decentralised agencies adopted on 19 July 2012 by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission.

(33)  The Management Board should exercise oversight over the Agency. The Board should, where possible, consist of the operational heads of the national services responsible for border guard management or their representatives. This Board should be entrusted with the necessary powers to establish the budget, verify its execution, adopt the appropriate financial rules, establish transparent working procedures for decision making by the Agency. The Agency should be governed and operated taking into account the principles of the common approach on Union decentralised agencies adopted on 19 July 2012 by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission. This should include conclusion of a headquarters agreement between the Agency and the Member State in which it has its seat.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(39)   Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely the development and implementation of a system of integrated management of the external borders, thus also ensuring the proper functioning of the Schengen area, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States acting in an uncoordinated manner but can rather, because of the absence of controls at internal borders and in view of the significant migratory pressures at the external borders and the need to safeguard a high level of internal security within the Union, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

(39)  Since the objectives of this Regulation, namely the development and implementation of a system of integrated management of the external borders, thus also ensuring the proper functioning of the Schengen area, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States acting in an uncoordinated manner but can rather, because of the absence of controls at internal borders and in view of the significant migratory challenges at the external borders and the need to monitor efficiently the crossing of those borders, thereby contributing to a high level of internal security within the Union, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(46a)  As regards Bulgaria and Romania, this Regulation constitutes an act building upon, or otherwise related to, the Schengen acquis within the meaning of Article 4(1) of the 2005 Act of Accession.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(46b)  As regards Croatia, this Regulation constitutes an act building upon, or otherwise related to, the Schengen acquis within the meaning of Article 4(1) of the 2011 Act of Accession.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(46c)  As regards Cyprus, this Regulation constitutes an act building upon, or otherwise related to, the Schengen acquis within the meaning of Article 3(1) of the 2003 Act of Accession.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

A European Border and Coast Guard is hereby set up to ensure a European integrated border management at the external borders with a view to managing migration effectively and ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union, while safeguarding the free movement of persons therein.

This Regulation establishes a European Border and Coast Guard to ensure a European integrated border management at the external borders with a view to monitoring efficiently the crossing of the external borders, and to addressing migratory challenges and potential future threats at those borders, thereby contributing to addressing serious crime with a cross-border dimension and to ensuring a high level of internal security within the Union, in full respect for fundamental rights, while safeguarding the free movement of persons therein.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(1)  ‘external borders’ means the land and sea borders of the Member States and their airports and seaports, to which the provisions of Title II of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council³⁸ apply;

(1)  ‘external borders’ means external borders as defined in point (2) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council, to which Title II thereof³⁸ applies;

__________

__________

³⁸  Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) (OJ L 105, 13.4.2006, p. 1).

³⁸  Regulation (EU) No 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) (OJ L 77, 23.3.2016, p. 1).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(9a)  ‘hotspot area’ means an area at an external border where a Member State faces disproportionate migratory pressures and where relevant Union Agencies assist the Member State in an integrated manner;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(12)  ‘returnee’ means an illegally staying third-country national subject to a return decision;

(12)  ‘returnee’ means an irregularly staying third-country national who is the subject of a return decision issued by a Member State in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(13)  ‘return operation’ means an operation to return illegally staying third-country nationals, that is coordinated by the Agency and involves technical and operational reinforcement being provided by one or more Member States under which returnees from one or more Member States are returned either through forced return or in voluntary compliance with an obligation to return;

(13)  ‘return operation’ means an operation to return third-country nationals who are the subject of return decisions issued by a Member State in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC, which is coordinated by the Agency and involves technical and operational reinforcement being provided by one or more Member States under which returnees from one or more Member States are returned either through forced return or in voluntary compliance with an obligation to return;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(14)  ‘return intervention’ means an operation to return illegally staying third-country nationals providing for enhanced technical and operational assistance consisting of the deployment of European Return Intervention Teams to Member States and the organisation of return operations.

(14)  ‘return intervention’ means an operation to return third-country nationals who are the subject of return decisions issued by a Member State in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC, which provides for enhanced technical and operational assistance consisting of the deployment of European Return Intervention Teams to Member States and the organisation of return operations;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(14a)  ‘coast-guard functions’ means fact-finding, monitoring, planning and organising missions and operations entrusted to a local, regional, national or Union authority with the necessary powers to perform maritime surveillance involving, in particular, safety, security, search and rescue, border control and border surveillance, fisheries control, customs control, general law enforcement and environmental protection;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the national authorities of Member States which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, shall constitute the European Border and Coast Guard.

1.  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (the Agency) and the national authorities of Member States which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, shall constitute the European Border and Coast Guard.

1a.  If appropriate, the Commission shall, after consulting the Agency, present a legislative proposal for a European integrated border management strategy. The strategy shall set out general guidelines, the objectives to be met and the key actions to be taken to establish a fully functioning European integrated border management system. The European integrated border management strategy shall be revised whenever circumstances so warrant.

2.  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency shall establish an operational and technical strategy for the European integrated border management. It shall promote and ensure the implementation of European integrated border management in all Member States.

2.  The Agency shall establish an operational and technical strategy for the European integrated border management, taking into account, where appropriate, the specific situation of the Member States. It shall promote and ensure the implementation of European integrated border management in all Member States.

2a.  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency shall ensure the continuous and uniform application of Union law, including the Union acquis on fundamental rights, at all external borders.

3.  The national authorities which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, shall establish their national strategies for integrated border management. Those national strategies shall be coherent with the strategy referred to in paragraph 2.

3.  The national authorities which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, shall establish their national strategies for integrated border management. Those national strategies shall be coherent with the strategy referred to in paragraphs 1a and 2.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

European integrated border management shall consist of the following components:

European integrated border management shall consist of the following components:

(a)  border control, including measures related to the prevention, detection and investigation of cross-border crime, where appropriate;

(a)  border control, including measures to facilitate legitimate border crossings and measures related to the prevention and detection of cross-border crime, such as the criminal smuggling of persons, trafficking in human beings and terrorism, where appropriate;

(aa)  search and rescue operations for persons in distress at sea in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 656/2014 and with international law;

(ab)  the identification, provision of initial information to and onward referral of persons arriving at the external borders who are in need of, or wish to apply for, international protection;

(b)  analysis of the risks for internal security and analysis of the threats that may affect the functioning or security of the external borders;

(b)  analysis of the risks for internal security and analysis of the threats that may affect the functioning or security of the external borders;

(c)  inter-agency cooperation among the national authorities in each Member State which are responsible for border control or for other tasks carried out at the border and among the relevant Union institutions, agencies, bodies and offices; including the regular exchange of information through existing information exchange tools, and in particular, the European Border Surveillance System (‘Eurosur’) established by Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council;³⁹

(c)  inter-agency cooperation among the national authorities in each Member State which are responsible for border control or for other tasks carried out at the border and among the relevant Union institutions, agencies, bodies and offices; including the regular exchange of information through existing information exchange tools, and in particular, the European Border Surveillance System (‘Eurosur’) established by Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council; ³⁹

(d)  cooperation with third countries in the areas of covered by this Regulation, focusing in particular on neighbouring countries and on those third countries which have been identified through risk analysis as being countries of origin and transit for irregular immigration;

(d)  cooperation with third countries in the areas of covered by this Regulation, focusing in particular on neighbouring countries and on those third countries which have been identified through risk analysis as being countries of origin and transit for irregular migration in cooperation with Member States, the Commission and the EEAS;

(e)  technical and operational measures within the area of free movement which are related to border control and designed to prevent irregular immigration and to counter cross-border crime;

(e)  technical and operational measures within the area of free movement which are related to border control and designed to better manage irregular migration and to counter cross-border crime;

(f) return of third-country nationals illegally staying on the territory of the Member States;

(f)  return of third-country nationals who are the subject of return decisions issued by a Member State in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC;

(g)  use of state-of-the-art technology including large-scale information systems;

(g)  use of state-of-the-art technology including large-scale information systems;

(h)  a quality control mechanism to ensure the implementation of Union legislation in the area of border management.

(h)  a quality control mechanism to ensure the implementation of Union legislation in the area of border management.

_________

_________

³⁹  Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013 establishing the European Border Surveillance System (Eurosur) (OJ L 295, 6.11.2013, p. 11).

³⁹  Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013 establishing the European Border Surveillance System (Eurosur) (OJ L 295, 6.11.2013, p. 11).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The European Border and Coast Guard shall implement the European integrated border management as a shared responsibility of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and of the national authorities responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks.

1.  The European Border and Coast Guard shall implement the European integrated border management as a shared responsibility of the Agency and of the national authorities responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out maritime border surveillance operations and any other border control tasks. Nonetheless, Member States shall retain primary responsibility for the management of their section of the external border.

2.   The European Border and Coast Guard Agency shall facilitate the application of Union measures relating to the management of external borders by reinforcing, assessing and coordinating the actions of Member States in the implementation of those measures, and in return. Member States shall ensure the management of their section of the external borders, in their interests and in interest of all Member States which have abolished internal border control, in full compliance with Union law and in accordance with the technical and operational strategy referred to in Article 3(2), and in close cooperation with the Agency.

2.  The Agency shall facilitate the application of Union measures relating to the management of external borders by reinforcing, assessing and coordinating the actions of Member States in the implementation of those measures, and in return. Member States shall ensure the management of their section of the external borders, in their interests and in interest of all Member States which have abolished internal border control, in full compliance with Union law and in accordance with the technical and operational strategy referred to in Article 3(2), and in close cooperation with the Agency. Member States shall also, in their own interests and in the interests of other Member States, enter data into the European databases and ensure that the data are accurate, up-to-date and obtained and entered lawfully.

3.  The European Border and Coast Guard Agency shall be responsible for the management of the external borders in the cases foreseen in this Regulation, in particular where the necessary corrective measures based on the vulnerability assessment are not taken or in the event of disproportionate migratory pressure, rendering the control of the external borders ineffective to such an extent that it risks putting in jeopardy the functioning of the Schengen area.

3.  The Agency shall be responsible for the management of the external borders in the cases foreseen in this Regulation, in particular where the necessary corrective measures based on the vulnerability assessment are not taken or in the event of disproportionate migratory pressure, rendering the control of the external borders ineffective to such an extent that it risks putting in jeopardy the functioning of the Schengen area;

3a.  This Regulation shall be without prejudice to the Schengen evaluation mechanism and the powers of the Commission, in particular under Article 258 TFEU, to ensure compliance with Union law.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  To ensure a coherent European integrated border management at all external borders, the Agency shall facilitate and render more effective the application of existing and future Union measures relating to the management of external borders, in particular the Schengen Borders Code established by Regulation (EC) No 562/2006.

1.  To ensure a coherent European integrated border management at all external borders, the Agency shall facilitate and render more effective the application of existing and future Union measures relating to the management of external borders, in particular the Schengen Borders Code established by Regulation (EC) No 2016/399. It shall also contribute to the identification, development and exchange of good practices and promote Union border management law and standards.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Article 6a

Accountability

The Agency shall be accountable to the European Parliament and to the Council, in accordance with this Regulation.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  In view of contributing to an efficient, high and uniform level of border control and return, the Agency shall perform the following tasks:

1.  In view of contributing to an efficient, high and uniform level of border control and return, the Agency shall perform the following tasks:

(a)  establish a monitoring and risk analysis centre with the capacity to monitor migratory flows and to carry out risk analysis as regards all aspects of integrated border management;

(a)  monitor migratory flows and to carry out risk analysis as regards all aspects of integrated border management;

(b)  carry out a vulnerability assessment including the assessment of the capacity of Member States to face threats and pressures at the external borders;

(b)  carry out a vulnerability assessment including the assessment of the capacity and preparedness of Member States to face threats and challenges at the external borders;

(ba)  ensure regular monitoring of the management of the external borders through liaison officers of the Agency in Member States;

(c)  assist Member States in circumstances requiring increased technical and operational assistance at the external borders by coordinating and organising joint operations, taking into account that some situations may involve humanitarian emergencies and rescue at sea;

(c)  assist Member States in circumstances requiring increased technical and operational assistance at the external borders by coordinating and organising joint operations, taking into account that some situations may involve humanitarian emergencies and rescue at sea in accordance with Union and international law;

(d)  assist Member States in circumstances requiring increased technical and operational assistance at the external borders, by launching rapid border interventions at the external borders of those Member States facing specific and disproportionate pressures, taking into account that some situations may involve humanitarian emergencies and rescue at sea;

(d)  assist Member States in circumstances requiring increased technical and operational assistance at the external borders, by launching rapid border interventions at the external borders of those Member States facing specific and disproportionate challenges, taking into account that some situations may involve humanitarian emergencies and rescue at sea in accordance with Union and international law;

(da)  provide technical and operational assistance to Member States and third countries, in the context of search and rescue operations for persons in distress at sea in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 656/2014 and international law;

(e)  set up and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams, including a rapid reserve pool, that are to be deployed during joint operations and rapid border interventions and in the framework of the migration management support teams;

(e)  set up and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams, including a rapid reaction pool, that are to be deployed during joint operations and rapid border interventions and in the framework of the migration management support teams;

(f)  set up a technical equipment pool to be deployed in joint operations, rapid border interventions and in the framework of migration management support teams, as well as in return operations and return interventions;

(f)  set up a technical equipment pool to be deployed in joint operations, rapid border interventions and in the framework of migration management support teams, as well as in return operations and return interventions;

(g)  deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams and technical equipment to provide assistance in screening, identification and fingerprinting in the framework of the migration management support teams at hotspot areas;

(g)  deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams and technical equipment to provide assistance in screening, identification and fingerprinting and establish mechanisms for the identification, provision of initial information to and onward referral of persons who are in need of, or wish to apply for, international protection in the framework of the migration management support teams at hotspot areas, in cooperation with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and national authorities;

(h)  support the development of technical standards for equipment, especially for tactical level command, control and communication as well as technical surveillance to ensure interoperability at Union and national level;

(h)  support the development of common technical standards for equipment, especially for tactical level command, control and communication as well as technical surveillance to ensure interoperability at Union and national level;

(i)  deploy the necessary equipment and staff for the rapid reserve pool for the practical execution of the measures needed to be taken in a situation requiring urgent action at the external borders;

(i)  deploy the necessary equipment and staff for the rapid reaction pool for the practical execution of the measures needed to be taken in a situation requiring urgent action at the external borders;

(j)  assist Member States in circumstances requiring increased technical assistance and operational assistance for implementing the obligation to return illegally staying third-country nationals, including through the coordination or organisation of return operations;

(j)  assist Member States in circumstances requiring increased technical assistance and operational assistance for implementing the obligation to return those third-country nationals, who are the subject of return decisions issued by a Member State in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC, including through the coordination or organisation of return operations;

(ja)  support Member States in circumstances requiring increased technical and operational assistance at the external borders in the fight against organised cross-border crime and terrorism, in cooperation with Europol and Eurojust;

(k)  set up pools of forced return monitors, forced return escorts and return specialists;

(k)  set up pools of forced return monitors, forced return escorts and return specialists;

(l)  set up and deploy European Return Intervention Teams during return interventions;

(l)  set up and deploy European Return Intervention Teams during return interventions;

(m)  assist Member States on training of national border guards and experts on return, including the establishment of common training standards;

(m)  assist Member States on training of national border guards and experts on return, including the establishment of common training standards;

(n)  participate in the development and management of research and innovation activities relevant for the control and surveillance of external borders, including the use of advanced surveillance technology such as remotely piloted aircraft systems and develop pilot projects regarding matters covered by this Regulation;

(n)  monitor and participate in the development and management of research and innovation activities relevant for the control and surveillance of external borders, and develop pilot projects regarding matters covered by this Regulation;

(o)  develop and operate, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA, information systems that enable swift and reliable exchanges of information regarding emerging risks at the management of the external borders, irregular immigration and return, in close cooperation with the Commission, Union agencies, bodies and offices as well as the European Migration Network established by Council Decision 2008/381/EC;

(o)  develop and operate, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/200140 and Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA, information systems that enable swift and reliable exchanges of information regarding emerging risks at the management of the external borders, irregular migration and return, in close cooperation with the Commission, Union agencies, bodies and offices as well as the European Migration Network established by Council Decision 2008/381/EC;

(p)  provide the necessary assistance for the development and operation of a European border surveillance system and, as appropriate, to the development of a common information-sharing environment, including interoperability of systems, in particular by developing, maintaining and coordinating the Eurosur framework in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013;

(p)  provide the necessary assistance for the development and operation of a European border surveillance system and, as appropriate, to the development of a common information-sharing environment, including interoperability of systems, in particular by developing, maintaining and coordinating the Eurosur framework in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013;

(pa)  adopt and promote the highest standards for border management practices, allowing for transparency and public scrutiny and ensuring respect for and protection and promotion of fundamental rights and rule of law;

(q)  cooperate with the European Fisheries Control Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency to support the national authorities carrying out coast guard functions by providing services, information, equipment and training, as well as by coordinating multipurpose operations;

(q)  cooperate with the European Fisheries Control Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency, each within their mandate, to support the national authorities carrying out coast guard functions by providing services, information, equipment and training, as well as by coordinating multipurpose operations;

(r)  assist Member States and third countries in the context of operational cooperation between them in the fields of external border management and return.

(r)  assist Member States and third countries in the context of technical and operational cooperation between them in matters covered by its activities and to the extent required for the fulfilment of its tasks;

(ra)  assist in sharing the information, equipment and all other capabilities of the European Fisheries Control Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency, if their support is needed in order to perform specific tasks like, but not limited to, search and rescue.

2.  Member States may continue cooperation at an operational level with other Member States and/or third countries at external borders, including military operations on a law enforcement mission and in the field of return, where such cooperation is compatible with the action of the Agency. Member States shall refrain from any activity which could jeopardise the functioning of the Agency or the attainment of its objectives.

2.  Member States may continue cooperation at an operational level with other Member States, where such cooperation is compatible with the tasks of the Agency. Member States shall refrain from any activity which could jeopardise the functioning of the Agency or the attainment of its objectives.

Member States shall report to the Agency on that operational cooperation with other Member States and/or third countries at the external borders and in the field of return. The Executive Director of the Agency (‘the Executive Director’) shall inform the Management Board of the Agency (‘the Management Board’) on those matters on a regular basis and at least once a year.

Member States shall report to the Agency on that operational cooperation with other Member States and/or third countries at the external borders and in the field of return. The Executive Director of the Agency (‘the Executive Director’) shall inform the Management Board of the Agency (‘the Management Board’) on those matters on a regular basis and at least once a year.

3.  The Agency may engage in communication activities on its own initiative in the fields within its mandate. Communication activities shall not be detrimental to the tasks referred to in paragraph 1 and shall be carried out in accordance with relevant communication and dissemination plans adopted by the Management Board.

3.  The Agency shall engage in communication activities in the fields within its mandate. It shall provide the public with accurate and detailed information about its activities. Communication activities shall not be detrimental to the tasks referred to in paragraph 1 in particular by revealing operational information which, if made public, would jeopardise attainment of the objective of operations. Communication activities shall be carried out in accordance with relevant communication and dissemination plans adopted by the Management Board.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

The national authorities which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, shall provide the Agency in a timely and accurate manner with all the information necessary for the Agency to perform the tasks conferred on it by this Regulation, in particular for the Agency to monitor the migratory flows towards and within the Union, to carry out risk analysis and to perform the vulnerability assessment.

Pursuant to Article 4(3) of the Treaty on European Union, the national authorities which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, shall provide the Agency in a timely and accurate manner with all the information necessary for the Agency to perform the tasks conferred on it by this Regulation, in particular for the Agency to monitor the migratory flows towards and within the Union, to carry out risk analysis in accordance with Article 10 of this Regulation and to perform the vulnerability assessment in accordance with Article 12 of this Regulation.

If the Agency is not provided with accurate and speedy information, it may take that fact into account when performing the vulnerability assessment, unless duly justified reasons are provided for withholding the data.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall establish a monitoring and risk analysis centre with the capacity to monitor migratory flows towards and within the Union. For this purpose, the Agency shall develop a common integrated risk analysis model, which shall be applied by the Agency and the Member States.

1.  The Agency shall monitor migratory flows towards and within the Union and forecast situations, trends and other possible challenges at the external border of the Union. For this purpose, the Agency shall develop a common integrated risk analysis model, which shall be applied by the Agency and the Member States, and carry out the vulnerability assessment in accordance with Article 12.

2.  The Agency shall prepare general and tailored risk analyses and submit it to the Council and the Commission.

2.  The Agency shall prepare general and tailored risk analyses and submit them to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Where appropriate, such risk analyses shall be carried out in cooperation with other relevant Union agencies, such as the EASO and Europol.

3.  The risk analysis prepared by the Agency shall cover all aspects relevant to the European integrated border management, in particular border control, return, irregular secondary movements of third-country nationals within the Union, the prevention of cross-border crime including facilitation of irregular immigration, trafficking in human being and terrorism, as well as the situation in neighbouring third countries with a view to developing a pre-warning mechanism which analyses the migratory flows towards the Union.

3.  The risk analysis prepared by the Agency shall cover all aspects relevant to the European integrated border management with a view to developing a pre-warning mechanism.

4.   Member States shall provide the Agency with all necessary information regarding the situation, trends and possible threats at the external borders and in the field of return. Member States shall regularly or upon the request of the Agency provide it with all relevant information such as statistical and operational data collected in relation to the implementation of the Schengen acquis as well as information and intelligence derived from the analysis layer of the national situational picture established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013.

4.  Member States shall provide the Agency with all necessary information regarding the situation, trends and possible threats at the external borders and in the field of return. Member States shall regularly or upon the request of the Agency provide it with all relevant information such as statistical and operational data collected in relation to the implementation of the Schengen acquis as well as information and intelligence derived from the analysis layer of the national situational picture established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013.

5.  The results of the risk analysis shall be submitted to the Supervisory Board and to the Management Board.

5.  The results of the risk analysis shall be submitted to the Advisory Board and to the Management Board.

6.  Member States shall take results of the risk analysis into account when planning their operations and activities at the external borders as well as their activities with regard to return.

6.  Member States shall take results of the risk analysis into account when planning their operations and activities at the external border as well as their activities with regard to return.

7.  The Agency shall incorporate the results of a common integrated risk analysis model in its development of the common core curricula for the training of border guards and of staff involved in return-related tasks.

7.  The Agency shall incorporate the results of a common integrated risk analysis model in its development of the common core curricula for the training of border guards and of staff involved.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall ensure regular monitoring of the management of the external borders through liaison officers of the Agency in Member States.

1.  The Agency shall ensure regular monitoring of the management of the external borders through liaison officers of the Agency in all Member States.

2.  The Executive Director shall appoint experts from the staff of the Agency to be deployed as liaison officers. The Executive Director shall, based on risk analysis and in consultation with the Management Board, determine the nature of the deployment, the Member State to which a liaison officer may be deployed and the duration of the deployment. The Executive Director shall notify the Member State concerned of the appointment and shall determine, together with the Member State, the location of deployment.

2.  The Executive Director shall appoint experts from the staff of the Agency to be deployed as liaison officers. The Executive Director shall, based on risk analysis and in consultation with the Management Board, determine the nature of the deployment. The Executive Director shall notify the Member State concerned of the appointment and shall determine, together with the Member State, the location of deployment.

3.  The liaison officers shall act on behalf of the Agency and their role shall be to foster cooperation and dialogue between the Agency and the national authorities which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks. The liaison officers shall, in particular:

3.  The liaison officers shall act on behalf of the Agency and their role shall be to foster cooperation and dialogue between the Agency and the national authorities which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks. The liaison officers shall, in particular:

(a)   act as an interface between the Agency and the national authorities responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks;

(a)  act as an interface between the Agency and the national authorities responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks;

(aa)  support the collection of information required by the Agency for the monitoring of irregular migration and risk analyses referred in Article 10;

(b)   support the collection of information required by the Agency for carrying out the vulnerability assessment referred to in Article 12;

(b)  support the collection of information required by the Agency for carrying out the vulnerability assessment referred to in Article 12;

(c)   monitor the measures taken by the Member State at border sections to which a high impact level has been attributed in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013;

(c)  monitor the measures taken by the Member State at border sections to which a high impact level has been attributed in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013;

(ca)  observe and promote the application of the Union acquis relating to the management of external borders, including with regard to respect for fundamental rights and international protection;

(d)   assist the Member States in preparing their contingency plans;

(d)  assist the Member States in preparing their contingency plans;

(da)  facilitate the communication between the Member State and the Agency, share relevant information from the Agency with the Member State, including information about ongoing operations;

(e)   report regularly to the Executive Director on the situation at the external border and the capacity of the Member State concerned to deal effectively with the situation at the external borders;

(e)  report regularly to the Executive Director on the situation at the external border and the capacity of the Member State concerned to deal effectively with the situation at the external borders;

(f)   monitor the measures taken by the Member State with regard to a situation requiring urgent action at the external borders as referred to in Article 18;

(f)  monitor the measures taken by the Member State with regard to a situation requiring urgent action at the external borders as referred to in Article 18;

4.  For the purposes of paragraph 3, the liaison officer shall, inter alia:

4.  For the purposes of paragraph 3, the liaison officer shall, inter alia:

(a)   have unlimited access to the national coordination centre and the national situational picture established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013;

(a)  have access to the national coordination centre and the national situational picture established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013;

(b)   have access to national and European information systems available in the national coordination centre, on condition that he or she complies with the national and EU security and data protection rules;

(b)  have access, where necessary, to European information systems available in the national coordination centre, on condition that he or she complies with the national and EU security and data protection rules;

(c)   keep regular contacts with national authorities which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, whilst informing the head of the national coordination centre.

(c)  keep regular contacts with national authorities which are responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, whilst informing the head of the national coordination centre.

5.  The report of the liaison officer shall form part of the vulnerability assessment referred to in Article 12.

5.  The report of the liaison officer shall form part of the vulnerability assessment as referred to in Article 12. The report shall be transmitted to the Member State concerned.

6.  In carrying out their duties, the liaison officers shall take instructions only from the Agency.

6.  In carrying out their duties, the liaison officers shall take instructions only from the Agency.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall assess the technical equipment, systems, capabilities, resources and contingency plans of the Member States regarding border control. That assessment shall be based on information provided by the Member State and by the liaison officer, on information derived from Eurosur, in particular the impact levels attributed to the external land and sea border sections of each Member State in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013, and on the reports and evaluations of joint operations, pilot projects, rapid border interventions and other activities of the Agency.

1.  As a preventative measure complementary to the Schengen evaluation mechanism, the Agency shall, on a continuous basis, monitor the preparedness and contingency plans of the Member States with regard to border control.

The vulnerability assessment is intended to allow the Agency to assess the capacity and preparedness of Member States to tackle upcoming challenges, including present and future threats and pressures at the external borders, to identify, especially for those Member States facing specific and disproportionate pressures, possible immediate consequences at the external borders and subsequent consequences on the functioning of the Schengen area, and to assess their capacity to contribute to the rapid reaction pool referred to in Article 19(5).

Elements to be monitored shall include the capacity to handle the potential arrival of large numbers of persons, many of whom may be in need of international protection, humanely and with full respect for fundamental rights, and the availability of technical equipment, systems, capabilities, resources, infrastructure and adequately skilled and trained personnel in sufficient numbers.

On the basis of the risk analysis prepared in accordance with Article 10(3), the Executive Director shall present to the Management Board a proposal for a decision laying down objective criteria against which the Agency shall carry out the vulnerability assessment. The Management Board shall decide on the criteria based on this proposal.

1a.  The vulnerability assessment shall be based on information provided by the Member State and by the liaison officer, on information derived from Eurosur, in particular the impact levels attributed to the land and sea sections of the external borders of each Member State in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013, and on the reports and evaluations of joint operations, pilot projects, rapid border interventions and other activities of the Agency.

2.  Member States shall, at the request of the Agency, provide information as regards technical equipment, staff and financial resources available at national level to carry out border control and they shall submit their contingency plans.

2.  Member States shall, at the request of the Agency, provide information as regards technical equipment, staff, financial resources and the elements referred to in the third subparagraph of paragraph 1 available at national level to carry out border control and they shall submit their contingency plans.

3.  The aim of the vulnerability assessment is for the Agency to assess the capacity and readiness of Member States to face upcoming challenges, including present and future threats and pressures at the external borders, to identify, especially for those Member States facing specific and disproportionate pressures, possible immediate consequences at the external borders and subsequent consequences on the functioning of the Schengen area, and to assess their capacity to contribute to the rapid reserve pool referred to in Article 19(5). That assessment is without prejudice to the Schengen evaluation mechanism.

4.  The results of the vulnerability assessment shall be submitted to the Supervisory Board, which shall advise the Executive Director on the measures to be taken by the Member States based on the results of the vulnerability assessment, and taking into account the Agency’s risk analysis and the results of the Schengen evaluation mechanism.

4.  The results of the vulnerability assessment shall be submitted to the Advisory Board, which shall advise the Executive Director on the measures to be taken by the Member States based on the results of the vulnerability assessment, and taking into account the Agency’s risk analysis and the results of the Schengen evaluation mechanism.

5.  The Executive Director shall adopt a decision setting out the necessary corrective measures to be taken by the Member State concerned, including by using resources under the Union financial instruments. The decision of the Executive Director shall be binding on the Member State and shall lay down the time-limit within which the measures are to be taken.

5.  The Executive Director shall adopt a decision setting out the necessary corrective measures to be taken by the Member State concerned including by using resources under the Union financial instruments. The decision of the Executive Director shall be binding on the Member State and shall lay down the time-limit within which the measures are to be taken.

6.   Where a Member State does not adopt the necessary corrective measures within the time-limit set, the Executive Director shall refer the matter to the Management Board and notify the Commission. The Management Board shall adopt a decision setting out the necessary corrective measures to be taken by the Member State concerned, including the time-limit within which such measures shall be taken. If the Member State does not take the measures within the time-limit foreseen in that decision, further action may be taken by the Commission in accordance with Article 18.

6.  Where a Member State does not adopt the necessary corrective measures within the time-limit set, the Executive Director shall notify the Management Board and the Commission. Further action may be taken by the Commission in accordance with Article 18.

6a.  The results of the vulnerability assessment shall be transmitted on a regular basis and at least every six months to the European Parliament and the Council.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  Member States may request the Agency for assistance in implementing their obligations with regard to the control of the external borders. The Agency shall also carry out measures as referred to in Article 18.

1.  Member States may request the Agency for assistance in implementing their obligations with regard to the control of the external borders. The Agency shall also carry out measures as referred to in Article 18.

2.   The Agency shall organise the appropriate technical and operational assistance for the host Member State and it may take one or more of the following measures:

2.  The Agency shall organise the appropriate technical and operational assistance for the host Member State and it may, acting in accordance with the relevant Union and international law, including the principle of non-refoulement, take one or more of the following measures:

(a)   coordinate joint operations for one or more Member States and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams;

(a)  coordinate joint operations for one or more Member States and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams;

(b)   organise rapid border interventions and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reserve pool, and additional European Border and Coast Guards Teams as appropriate;

(b)  organise rapid border interventions and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reaction pool, and additional European Border and Coast Guards Teams as appropriate;

(c)   coordinate activities for one or more Member States and third countries at the external borders, including joint operations with neighbouring third countries;

(c)  coordinate activities for one or more Member States and third countries at the external borders, including joint operations with neighbouring third countries;

(d)   deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams in the framework of the migration management support teams at hotspot areas;

(d)  deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams in the framework of the migration management support teams at hotspot areas;

(da)  provide technical and operational assistance to Member States and third countries, in the context of search and rescue operations for persons in distress at sea in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 656/2014 and international law ;

(e)   deploy its own experts as well as members of the teams who had been seconded by the Member States to the Agency to support the competent national authorities of the Member States involved for the appropriate duration;

(e)  deploy its own experts as well as members of the teams who had been seconded by the Member States to the Agency to support the competent national authorities of the Member States involved for the appropriate duration;

(f)   deploy technical equipment.

(f)  deploy technical equipment.

3.   The Agency shall finance or co-finance the activities set out in paragraph 2 with grants from its budget in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency.

3.  The Agency shall finance or co-finance the activities set out in paragraph 2 from its budget and through contracts in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency.

3a.  If there is an increased financial need due to a situation at the external borders, the Agency shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission thereof without delay.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Initiating joint operations and rapid border interventions at the external borders

Initiating joint operations at the external borders

1.  Member States may request the Agency to launch joint operations to face upcoming challenges, including present or future threats at the external borders resulting from irregular immigration or cross-border crime, or to provide increased technical and operational assistance when implementing their obligations with regard to the control of the external borders.

1.  Member States may request the Agency to launch joint operations to face upcoming challenges, including irregular migration, present or future threats at the external borders or cross-border crime, such as the criminal smuggling of persons, trafficking in human beings and terrorism, or to provide increased technical and operational assistance when implementing their obligations with regard to the control of the external borders.

2.  At the request of a Member State faced with a situation of specific and disproportionate pressures, especially the arrival at points of the external borders of large numbers of third-country nationals trying to enter the territory of that Member State illegally, the Agency may deploy a rapid border intervention for a limited period of time on the territory of that host Member State.

3.  The Executive Director shall evaluate, approve and coordinate proposals for joint operations made by Member States. Joint operations and rapid border interventions shall be preceded by a thorough, reliable and up-to-date risk analysis, thereby enabling the Agency to set an order of priority for the proposed joint operations and rapid border interventions, taking into account the impact level to external border sections in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013 and the availability of resources.

3.  The Executive Director shall evaluate, approve and coordinate proposals for joint operations made by Member States. Joint operations shall be preceded by a thorough, reliable and up-to-date risk analysis, thereby enabling the Agency to set an order of priority for the proposed joint operations taking into account the impact level to external border sections in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013 and the availability of resources.

4.  The Executive Director shall, on the advice of the Supervisory Board based on the results of the vulnerability assessment, and taking into account the Agency’s risk analysis and the analysis layer of the European situational picture established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013, recommend to the Member State concerned to initiate and carry out joint operations or rapid border interventions. The Agency shall put its technical equipment at the disposal of the host or participating Member States.

4.  The Executive Director shall, on the advice of the Advisory Board based on the results of the vulnerability assessment, and taking into account the Agency’s risk analysis and the analysis layer of the European situational picture established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013, recommend to the Member State concerned to initiate and carry out joint operations. The Agency shall put its technical equipment at the disposal of the host or participating Member States.

5.  The objectives of a joint operation or rapid border intervention may be achieved as part of a multipurpose operation which may involve the rescue of persons in distress at sea or other coast guard functions, the fight against migrant smuggling or trafficking in human beings, drug trafficking control operations, and migration management including identification, registration, debriefing and return.

5.  The objectives of a joint operation may be achieved as part of a multipurpose operation which may involve the rescue of persons in distress at sea or other coast guard functions, the fight against the criminal smuggling of persons, trafficking in human beings, drug trafficking control operations, in cooperation with Europol, and migration management including identification, registration, debriefing and return.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(d)   a description of the tasks and special instructions for the European Border and Coast Guard Teams, including on permissible consultation of databases and permissible service weapons, ammunition and equipment in the host Member State;

(d)  a description of the tasks, responsibilities and special instructions for the European Border and Coast Guard Teams, including on permissible consultation of databases and permissible service weapons, ammunition and equipment in the host Member State;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(da)  a description of the fundamental rights implications and risks of the joint operation;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(i)   a reporting and evaluation scheme containing benchmarks for the evaluation report and final date of submission of the final evaluation report;

(i)  a reporting and evaluation scheme containing benchmarks for the evaluation report, including with regard to the protection of fundamental rights, and final date of submission of the final evaluation report;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

-1.  At the request of a Member State faced with a situation of specific and disproportionate pressures, especially the arrival at points of the external borders of large numbers of third-country nationals trying to enter the territory of that Member State irregularly, the Agency may deploy a rapid border intervention for a limited period of time on the territory of that host Member State.

1.  A request by a Member State to launch a rapid border intervention shall include a description of the situation, possible aims and envisaged needs. If required, the Executive Director may immediately send experts from the Agency to assess the situation at the external borders of the Member State concerned.

1.  A request by a Member State to launch a rapid border intervention shall include a description of the situation, possible aims and envisaged needs. If required, the Executive Director may immediately send experts from the Agency to assess the situation at the external borders of the Member State concerned.

2.  The Executive Director shall immediately inform the Management Board of a Member State’s request to launch a rapid border intervention.

2.  The Executive Director shall immediately inform the Management Board of a Member State’s request to launch a rapid border intervention.

3.  When deciding on the request of a Member State, the Executive Director shall take into account the findings of the Agency’s risk analyses and the analysis layer of the European situational picture established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013 as well as the outcome of the vulnerability assessment referred to in Article 12 and any other relevant information provided by the Member State concerned or another Member State.

3.  When deciding on the request of a Member State, the Executive Director shall take into account the findings of the Agency’s risk analyses and the analysis layer of the European situational picture established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1052/2013 as well as the outcome of the vulnerability assessment referred to in Article 12 and any other relevant information provided by the Member State concerned or another Member State.

4.  The Executive Director shall take a decision on the request for launching a rapid border intervention within two working days from the date of the receipt of the request. The Executive Director shall simultaneously notify the Member State concerned and the Management Board in writing of the decision. The decision shall state the main reasons on which it is based.

4.  The Executive Director shall take a decision on the request for launching a rapid border intervention within two working days from the date of the receipt of the request. The Executive Director shall simultaneously notify the Member State concerned and the Management Board in writing of the decision. The decision shall state the main reasons on which it is based.

5.  If the Executive Director decides to launch a rapid border intervention, he or she shall deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reserve pool in accordance with Article 19(5), and where necessary, he or she shall decide on the immediate reinforcement by one or more European Border and Coast Guard Teams, in accordance with Article 19(6).

5.  If the Executive Director decides to launch a rapid border intervention, he or she shall deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reaction pool in accordance with Article 19(5), and where necessary, he or she shall decide on the immediate reinforcement by one or more European Border and Coast Guard Teams, in accordance with Article 19(6).

6.  The Executive Director together with the host Member State shall draw up an operational plan as referred to in Article 15(3) immediately and in any event no later than three working days from the date of the decision.

6.  The Executive Director together with the host Member State shall draw up an operational plan as referred to in Article 15(3) immediately and in any event no later than three working days from the date of the decision.

7.  As soon as the operational plan has been agreed upon, the Executive Director shall request the Member States to immediately deploy the border guards that form part of the rapid reserve pool. The Executive Director shall indicate the profiles and numbers of border guards, required from each Member State from among those identified in the existing rapid reserve pool.

7.  As soon as the operational plan has been agreed upon, the Executive Director shall request the Member States to immediately deploy the border guards that form part of the rapid reaction pool. The Executive Director shall indicate the profiles and numbers of border guards, required from each Member State from among those identified in the existing rapid reaction pool.

8.  In parallel, and where necessary, to secure the immediate reinforcement of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams deployed from the rapid reserve pool, the Executive Director shall inform the Member States of the requested number and profiles of border guards which are to be additionally deployed. This information shall be provided, in writing to the national contact points and shall indicate the date on which the deployment is to take place. A copy of the operational plan shall also be provided to them.

8.  In parallel, and where necessary, to secure the immediate reinforcement of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams deployed from the rapid reaction pool, the Executive Director shall inform the Member States of the requested number and profiles of border guards which are to be additionally deployed. This information shall be provided, in writing to the national contact points and shall indicate the date on which the deployment is to take place. A copy of the operational plan shall also be provided to them.

9.  If the Executive Director is absent or indisposed, the decisions related to the deployment of the rapid reserve pool and any additional deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Teams shall be taken by the Deputy Executive Director.

9.  If the Executive Director is absent or indisposed, the decisions related to the deployment of the rapid reaction pool and any additional deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Teams shall be taken by the Deputy Executive Director.

10.  Member States shall ensure that the border guards assigned to the rapid reserve pool are immediately and without exception made available to the Agency. Member States shall also make additional border guards available for the deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Teams at the request of the Agency, unless they are faced with an exceptional situation substantially affecting the discharge of national tasks.

10.  Member States shall ensure that the border guards assigned to the rapid reaction pool are immediately and without exception made available to the Agency to guarantee a complete deployment within three working days after the date on which the operational plan is agreed. Member States shall also make additional border guards available for the deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Teams at the request of the Agency, unless they are faced with an exceptional situation substantially affecting the discharge of national tasks.

11.  Deployment of the rapid reserve pool shall take place no later than three working days after the date on which the operational plan is agreed between the Executive Director and the host Member State. Additional deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Teams, shall take place where necessary, within five working days of the deployment of the rapid reserve pool.

11.  Deployment of the rapid reaction pool shall take place no later than three working days after the date on which the operational plan is agreed between the Executive Director and the host Member State. Additional deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Teams, shall take place where necessary, within five working days of the deployment of the rapid reaction pool.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  Where a Member State faces disproportionate migratory pressures at particular hotspot areas of its external border characterised by large influxes of mixed migratory flows, that Member State may request the operational and technical reinforcement by migration management support teams. That Member State shall submit a request for reinforcement and an assessment of its needs to the Agency and other relevant Union Agencies in particular the European Asylum Support Office and Europol.

1.  Where a Member State faces disproportionate migratory pressures at particular hotspot areas of its external borders characterised by large influxes of mixed migratory flows, that Member State may request the operational and technical reinforcement by migration management support teams. That Member State shall submit a request for reinforcement and an assessment of its needs to the Agency and other relevant Union Agencies in particular EASO and Europol.

2.  The Executive Director, in coordination with other relevant Union Agencies, shall assess the request for assistance of a Member State and the assessment of its needs for the purpose of defining a comprehensive reinforcement package consisting of various activities coordinated by the relevant Union Agencies to be agreed upon by the Member State concerned.

2.  The Executive Director, in coordination with other relevant Union Agencies, shall assess the request for assistance of a Member State and the assessment of its needs for the purpose of defining a comprehensive reinforcement package consisting of various activities coordinated by the relevant Union Agencies to be agreed upon by the Member State concerned.

2a.  The Commission shall be responsible for coordinating swift cooperation between the different agencies and migration management support teams.

3.  The operational and technical reinforcement provided by the European Border and Coast Guard Teams, the European Return Intervention Teams and experts from the Agency’s staff in the framework of the migration management support teams, may include:

3.  The operational and technical reinforcement provided by the European Border and Coast Guard Teams, the European Return Intervention Teams and experts from the Agency’s staff in the framework of the migration management support teams, may include:

(a)  the screening of third-country nationals arriving at the external borders, including the identification, registration, and debriefing of those third-country nationals and, where requested by the Member State, the fingerprinting of third-country nationals;

(a)  providing assistance in the screening of third-country nationals arriving at the external borders, including the identification, registration, and debriefing of those third-country nationals and, where requested by the Member State, the fingerprinting of third-country nationals in full respect for fundamental rights and providing information regarding the purpose and outcome of all procedures;

(b)   the provision of information to persons in clear need of international protection or to applicants or potential applicants for relocation;

(ba)  the referral of persons who wish to apply for international protection to asylum experts of the national authorities of the Member State concerned or EASO;

(c)   technical and operational assistance in the field of return, including the preparation and organisation of return operations.

(c)  technical and operational assistance in the field of return, including the preparation and organisation of return operations.

3a.  Migration management support teams shall include experts in child protection, trafficking in human beings, protection against gender-based persecution and fundamental rights.

4.  The Agency shall assist the Commission in the coordination of the activities of the migration management support teams, in cooperation with the other relevant Union Agencies.

4.  The Agency shall assist the Commission in the coordination of the activities of the migration management support teams, in cooperation with the other relevant Union Agencies.

4a.  The Agency, in cooperation with EASO, the Fundamental Rights Agency and other relevant Union agencies and under the coordination of the Commission, shall ensure the compliance of those activities with the Common European Asylum System and fundamental rights. This includes the provision of shelter, hygienic conditions and facilities respecting the needs of women and children in the hotspot areas.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  Where a Member State does not take the necessary corrective measures in accordance with a decision of the Management Board referred to in Article 12(6) or in the event of disproportionate migratory pressure at the external border, rendering the control of the external borders ineffective to such an extent that it risks putting in jeopardy the functioning of the Schengen area, the Commission, after consulting the Agency, may adopt a decision by means of an implementing act, identifying the measures to be implemented by the Agency and requiring the Member State concerned to cooperate with the Agency in the implementation of those measures. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 79(2).

1.  Where a Member State does not take the necessary corrective measures in accordance with a decision referred to in Article 12(5) or in the event of disproportionate migratory pressure at the external border rendering the control of the external borders ineffective to such an extent that it risks putting in jeopardy the functioning of the Schengen area as an area without internal border control, the Commission, after consulting the Agency, may present to the Council a proposal for an implementing decision, identifying the measures to be implemented by the Agency and requiring the Member State concerned to cooperate with the Agency in the implementation of those measures. That implementing decision shall be adopted by the Council with a qualified majority vote.

On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency relating to the functioning of the Schengen area, the Commission shall adopt immediately applicable implementing acts in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 79(5).

The Council shall meet immediately following receipt of the Commission proposal.

1a.  If a situation requiring urgent action arises, the European Parliament shall be informed of that situation without delay and shall be informed of all subsequent measures and decisions taken in response.

2.  For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Commission shall provide for one or more of the following measures to be taken by the Agency:

2.  For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Commission shall provide for one or more of the following measures to be taken by the Agency:

(a)   organise and coordinate rapid border interventions and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reserve pool, and additional European Border and Coast Guards Teams as appropriate;

(a)  organise and coordinate rapid border interventions and deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reaction pool, and additional European Border and Coast Guards Teams as appropriate;

(b)   deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams in the framework of the migration management support teams at hotspot areas;

(b)  deploy European Border and Coast Guard Teams in the framework of the migration management support teams at hotspot areas;

(c)   coordinate activities for one or more Member States and third countries at the external borders, including joint operations with neighbouring third countries;

(c)  coordinate activities for one or more Member States and third countries at the external borders, including joint operations with neighbouring third countries;

(d)   deploy technical equipment;

(d)  deploy technical equipment;

(e)   organise return interventions.

(e)  organise return interventions.

3.  The Executive Director shall, within two working days from the date of adoption of the Commission decision, and on the advice of the Supervisory Board, determine the actions needed to be taken for the practical execution of the measures identified in the Commission decision, including the technical equipment as well as the number and profiles of the border guards and other relevant staff needed to meet the objectives of that decision.

3.  The Executive Director shall, within two working days from the date of adoption of the Council decision, and on the advice of the Advisory Board:

(a)  determine the actions needed to be taken for the practical execution of the measures identified in the Commission decision, including the technical equipment as well as the number and profiles of the border guards and other relevant staff needed to meet the objectives of that decision;

(b)  submit a draft operational plan to the Member State concerned.

4.  In parallel and within the same two working days, the Executive Director shall submit a draft operational plan to the Member State concerned. The Executive Director and the Member State concerned shall draw up the operational plan within two working days from the date of its submission.

4.  The Executive Director and the Member State concerned shall agree upon the operational plan within two working days from the date of its submission.

5.  The Agency shall, without delay and in any case within three working days from establishment of the operational plan, deploy the necessary technical equipment and staff from the rapid reserve pool referred to in Article 19(5) for the practical execution of the measures set out in the Commission decision. Additional technical equipment and European Border and Coast Guard Teams shall be deployed as necessary at a second stage and in any case within five working days from the deployment of the rapid reserve pool.

5.  The Agency shall, without delay and in any case within three working days from establishment of the operational plan, deploy the necessary technical equipment and staff from the rapid reaction pool referred to in Article 19(5) for the practical execution of the measures set out in the Council decision. Additional technical equipment and European Border and Coast Guard Teams shall be deployed as necessary at a second stage and in any case within five working days from the deployment of the rapid reaction pool.

6.  The Member State concerned shall comply with the Commission decision and for that purpose it shall immediately cooperate with the Agency and take the necessary action to facilitate the implementation of that decision and the practical execution of the measures set out in that decision and in the operational plan agreed upon with the Executive Director.

6.  The Member State concerned shall comply with the Council decision and for that purpose it shall immediately cooperate with the Agency and take the necessary action to facilitate the implementation of that decision and the practical execution of the measures set out in that decision and in the operational plan agreed upon with the Executive Director.

7.  The Member States shall make available the border guards and other relevant staff determined by the Executive Director in accordance with paragraph 2. The Member States may not invoke the exceptional situation referred to in Article 19(3) and (6).

7.  The Member States shall make available the border guards and other relevant staff determined by the Executive Director in accordance with paragraph 2. The Member States may not invoke the exceptional situation referred to in Article 19(3) and (6).

7a.  The Commission shall monitor the proper implementation of the measures identified in the Council decision and the actions taken, for that purpose, by the Agency and Member States in order to ensure a proper European border management.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall deploy border guards and other relevant staff as members of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams to joint operations, rapid border interventions and in the framework of the migration management support teams. The Agency may also deploy experts from its own staff.

1.  The Agency shall deploy border guards and other relevant staff as members of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams to joint operations, rapid border interventions and in the framework of the migration management support teams. The Agency may also deploy experts from its own staff.

2.  On a proposal by the Executive Director, the Management Board shall decide by an absolute majority of its members with a right to vote on the profiles and the overall number of border guards to be made available for the European Border and Coast Guard Teams. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profiles and the overall numbers. Member States shall contribute to the European Border and Coast Guard Teams through a national pool on the basis of the various defined profiles by nominating border guards corresponding to the required profiles.

2.  On a proposal by the Executive Director, the Management Board shall decide by an absolute majority of its members with a right to vote on the profiles and the overall number of border guards to be made available for the European Border and Coast Guard Teams. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profiles and the overall numbers. Member States shall contribute to the European Border and Coast Guard Teams through a national pool on the basis of the various defined profiles by nominating border guards corresponding to the required profiles.

3.  The contribution by Member States as regards their border guards to specific joint operations for the following year shall be planned on the basis of annual bilateral negotiations and agreements between the Agency and Member States. In accordance with those agreements, Member States shall make the border guards available for deployment at the request of the Agency, unless they are faced with an exceptional situation substantially affecting the discharge of national tasks. Such a request shall be made at least 21 working days before the intended deployment.

3.  The contribution by Member States as regards their border guards to specific joint operations for the following year shall be planned on the basis of annual bilateral negotiations and agreements between the Agency and Member States. In accordance with those agreements, Member States shall make the border guards available for deployment at the request of the Agency, unless they are faced with an exceptional situation substantially affecting the discharge of national tasks. Such a request shall be made at least 21 working days before the intended deployment. If a Member State invokes such an exceptional situation, it shall provide detailed reasons and information on the situation in a letter to the Agency, the content of which shall be included in the report referred to in paragraph 9.

4.  As regards rapid border interventions, on a proposal by the Executive Director of the Agency, the Management Board shall decide by a three-quarter majority on the profiles and the minimum number of border guards to be made available for a rapid reserve pool of European Border and Coast Guard Teams. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profiles and the overall number of border guards of the rapid reserve pool. Member States shall contribute to the rapid reserve pool via a national expert pool on the basis of the various defined profiles by nominating border guards corresponding to the required profiles.

4.  As regards rapid border interventions, on a proposal by the Executive Director of the Agency, the Management Board shall decide by a three-quarter majority on the profiles and the minimum number of border guards to be made available for a rapid reaction pool of European Border and Coast Guard Teams. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profiles and the overall number of border guards of the rapid reaction pool. Member States shall contribute to the rapid reaction pool via a national expert pool on the basis of the various defined profiles by nominating border guards corresponding to the required profiles.

5.  The rapid reserve pool shall be a standing corps placed at the immediate disposal of the Agency and which can be deployed from each Member State within three working days from when the operational plan is agreed upon by the Executive Director and the host Member State. For that purpose, each Member State shall, on a yearly basis, make available to the Agency a number of border guards commensurate to at least 3% of the staff of Member States without land or sea external borders and 2% of the staff of Member States with land or sea external borders, and which shall amount to a minimum of 1 500 border guards, corresponding to the profiles identified by the decision of the Management Board.

5.  The rapid reaction pool shall be a standing corps placed at the immediate disposal of the Agency and which can be deployed from each Member State within three working days from when the operational plan is agreed upon by the Executive Director and the host Member State. For that purpose, each Member State shall, on a yearly basis, make available to the Agency a number of border guards commensurate to at least 3% of the staff of Member States without land or sea external borders and 2% of the staff of Member States with land or sea external borders, and which shall amount to a minimum of 1 500 border guards, corresponding to the profiles identified by the decision of the Management Board. The Agency shall evaluate whether the border guards proposed by Member States correspond to the defined profiles and shall decide on the border guards to be chosen for the rapid reaction pool. The Agency shall have the power to remove a border guard from the pool in case of misconduct or infringement of the applicable rules.

6.  Where necessary, the deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reserve pool shall be immediately complemented by additional European Border and Coast Guard Teams. For that purpose, Member States shall, at the request of the Agency, immediately communicate the number, names and profiles of border guards from their national pool which they are able to make available within five working days from the start of the rapid border intervention. Member States shall make the border guards available for deployment at the request of the Agency unless they are faced with an exceptional situation substantially affecting the discharge of national tasks.

6.  Where necessary, the deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Teams from the rapid reaction pool shall be immediately complemented by additional European Border and Coast Guard Teams. For that purpose, Member States shall, at the request of the Agency, immediately communicate the number, names and profiles of border guards from their national pool which they are able to make available within five working days from the start of the rapid border intervention. Member States shall make the border guards available for deployment at the request of the Agency unless they are faced with an exceptional situation substantially affecting the discharge of national tasks. If a Member State invokes such an exceptional situation, it shall provide detailed reasons and information on the situation in a letter to the Agency, the content of which shall be included in the report referred to in paragraph 9.

6a.  If a situation arises in which more border guards are required than provided for under paragraph 5 and 6, the Executive Director shall immediately inform the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council and the Commission. In such cases the European Council shall seek commitments from Member States to meet the shortage.

7.  Member States shall ensure that the border guards and other relevant staff which they contribute match the profiles and the numbers decided upon by the Management Board. The duration of the deployment shall be determined by the home Member State but in any case it shall not be less than 30 days.

7.  Member States shall ensure that the border guards and other relevant staff which they contribute match the profiles and the numbers decided upon by the Management Board. The duration of the deployment shall be determined by the home Member State but in any case it shall not be less than 30 days.

8.  The Agency shall contribute to the European Border and Coast Guard Teams with competent border guards seconded by the Member States as national experts to the Agency. The contribution by Member States as regards the secondment of their border guards to the Agency for the following year shall be planned on the basis of annual bilateral negotiations and agreements between the Agency and Member States. In accordance with those agreements, Member States shall make the border guards available for secondment, unless that would seriously affect the discharge of national tasks. In such situations Member States may recall their seconded border guards.

8.  The Agency shall contribute to the European Border and Coast Guard Teams with competent border guards seconded by the Member States as national experts to the Agency. The contribution by Member States as regards the secondment of their border guards to the Agency for the following year shall be planned on the basis of annual bilateral negotiations and agreements between the Agency and Member States. In accordance with those agreements, Member States shall make the border guards available for secondment, unless that would seriously affect the discharge of national tasks. In such situations Member States may recall their seconded border guards.

Such secondments may be for 12 months or more but in any case it shall not be less than three months. The seconded border guards shall be considered as members of the teams and they shall have the tasks and powers of the members of the teams. The Member State having seconded the border guards shall be considered as the home Member State.

Such secondments may be for 12 months or more but in any case it shall not be less than three months. The seconded border guards shall be considered as members of the teams and they shall have the tasks and powers of the members of the teams. The Member State having seconded the border guards shall be considered as the home Member State. The disciplinary procedure of the Agency shall also apply to seconded border guards.

Other staff employed by the Agency on a temporary basis who are not qualified to perform border control functions shall only be deployed during joint operations for coordination tasks and shall not form part of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams.

Other staff employed by the Agency on a temporary basis who are not qualified to perform border control functions shall only be deployed during joint operations for coordination tasks and shall not form part of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams.

9.  The Agency shall inform the European Parliament on an annual basis of the number of border guards that each Member State has committed to the European Border and Coast Guard Teams in accordance with this Article.

9.  The Agency shall inform the European Parliament on an annual basis of the number of border guards that each Member State has committed and the number of border guards actually deployed to the European Border and Coast Guard Teams in accordance with this Article. This report shall list the Member States that invoked the exceptional situation referred to in paragraphs 3 and 6 in the previous year and include the reasons and information provided by the Member State concerned.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   The Agency, through its Coordinating Officer, may communicate its views to the host Member State on the instructions given to European Border and Coast Guard Teams. In that case, the host Member State shall take those views into consideration and follow them to the extent possible.

2.  The Agency, through its Coordinating Officer, may communicate its views to the host Member State on the instructions given to European Border and Coast Guard Teams. If the Agency has concerns as regards the instructions issued to the European Border and Coast Guard Teams it shall communicate its views, which the host Member State shall take into consideration and follow to the extent possible.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Suspension or termination of joint operations and rapid border interventions

Suspension or termination of activities

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3.  The Executive Director shall withdraw the financing of a joint operation or a rapid border intervention, or suspend or terminate, in whole or in part, a joint operation or rapid border intervention if he or she considers that there are violations of fundamental rights or international protection obligations that are of a serious nature or are likely to persist.

3.  The Executive Director shall, in close cooperation with the Fundamental Rights Officer, withdraw the financing of a joint operation, or a rapid border intervention, a pilot project, migration management support teams, return operation, return intervention or working arrangement or suspend or terminate, in whole or in part such activities, if he or she considers that there are violations of fundamental rights or international protection obligations that are of a serious nature or are likely to persist. For this purpose, the Agency shall establish and publish the criteria leading to a decision on the suspension, termination or withdrawal of financing for the above mentioned activities.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Evaluation of joint operations and rapid border interventions

Evaluation of activities

The Executive Director shall evaluate the results of the joint operations and rapid border interventions and transmit the detailed evaluation reports within 60 days following the end of those operations and projects to the Management Board, together with the observations of the Fundamental Rights Officer. The Agency shall make a comprehensive comparative analysis of those results with a view to enhancing the quality, coherence and effectiveness of future joint operations and rapid border interventions, and it shall include it in its consolidated annual activity report.

The Executive Director shall evaluate the results of the joint operations and rapid border interventions, pilot projects, migration management support teams, return operations, return interventions and operational cooperation with third countries and transmit the detailed evaluation reports within 60 days following the end of those activities to the Management Board, together with the observations of the Fundamental Rights Officer. The Agency shall make a comprehensive comparative analysis of those results with a view to enhancing the quality, coherence and effectiveness of future activities, and it shall include it in its annual activity report.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Return Office

Return

1.  The Return Office shall be responsible for carrying out the return-related activities of the Agency, in accordance with the respect of fundamental rights and general principles of Union law as well as international law, including refugee protection and human rights obligations. The Return Office shall, in particular:

1.  With regard to return, the Agency shall, in accordance with the respect of fundamental rights and general principles of Union law as well as international law, including refugee protection and fundamental rights , including children’s rights, in particular:

(a)   coordinate at technical and operational level the return activities of the Member States, to achieve an integrated system of return management among competent authorities of the Member States, with the participation of relevant authorities of third countries and other relevant stakeholders;

(a)  coordinate at technical and operational level the return activities of the Member States, including voluntary returns, to achieve an integrated system of return management among competent authorities of the Member States with the participation of relevant authorities of third countries and other relevant stakeholders;

(b)   provide operational support to Member States subject to particular pressure on their return systems;

(b)  provide technical and operational support to Member States subject to particular pressure on their return systems;

(c)   coordinate the use of relevant IT systems and provide support on consular cooperation for the identification of third-country nationals and the acquisition of travel documents, organise and coordinate return operations and provide support to voluntary departure;

(c)  coordinate the use of relevant IT systems and provide support to the Member States on consular cooperation for the identification of third-country nationals and the acquisition of travel documents, without disclosing whether the third-country nationals have requested asylum, organise and coordinate return operations and provide support to voluntary departure in cooperation with the Member States;

(d)   coordinate the return-related activities of the Agency as set out in this Regulation;

(e)   organise, promote and coordinate activities enabling the exchange of information and the identification and pooling of best practices in return matters between the Member States;

(e)  organise, promote and coordinate activities enabling the exchange of information and the identification and pooling of best practices in return matters between the Member States;

(f)   finance or co-finance the operations, interventions and activities referred to in this Chapter with grants from its budget, in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency.

(f)  finance or co-finance the operations, interventions and activities referred to in this Chapter, from its budget, and through contracts, in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency.

2.   The operational support referred to in point (b) of paragraph 1 shall include action to help Member States carry out return procedures by the competent national authorities by providing, in particular:

2.  The operational support referred to in point (b) of paragraph 1 shall include action to help Member States carry out return procedures by the competent national authorities by providing, in particular:

(a)   interpreting services;

(a)  interpreting services;

(b)   information on third countries of return;

(b)  information on third countries of return, in cooperation with other Union bodies, offices and agencies including EASO;

(c)   advice on the handling and management of return procedures in compliance with Directive 2008/115/EC;

(c)  advice on the handling and management of return procedures in compliance with Directive 2008/115/EC;

(d)   assistance on measures necessary to ensure the availability of returnees for return purposes and avoid that returnees abscond.

(d)  assistance on measures necessary to ensure the availability of returnees for return purposes and avoid that returnees abscond, in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC and international law.

3.  The Return Office shall aim at building synergies and connecting Union-funded networks and programmes in the field of return in close cooperation with the European Commission and the European Migration Network.

3.  The Agency shall aim at building synergies and connecting Union-funded networks and programmes in the field of return in close cooperation with the European Commission and the European Migration Network.

4.  The Agency may make use of the financial means of the Union which are available in the field of return. The Agency shall ensure that in its grant agreements with Member States any financial support is conditional upon the full respect for the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

4.  The Agency may make use of the financial means of the Union which are available in the field of return. The Agency shall ensure that in its grant agreements with Member States any financial support is conditional upon the full respect for the Charter.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  In accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC, and without entering into the merits of return decisions, the Agency shall provide the necessary assistance and, at the request of one or several participating Member States, ensure the coordination or the organisation of return operations, including through the chartering of aircraft for the purpose of such operations. The Agency may, on its own initiative, propose to Member States to coordinate or organise return operations.

1.  In accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC, and without entering into the merits of return decisions, the Agency shall provide the necessary assistance and, at the request of one or several participating Member States, ensure the coordination or the organisation of return operations, including through the chartering of aircraft for the purpose of such operations.

2.  Member States shall at least on a monthly basis inform the Agency of their planned national return operations, as well as of their needs for assistance or coordination by the Agency. The Agency shall draw up a rolling operational plan to provide the requesting Member States with the necessary operational reinforcement, including technical equipment. The Agency may, on its own initiative, include in the rolling operational plan the dates and destinations of return operations it considers necessary, based on a needs assessment. The Management Board shall decide, on a proposal of the Executive Director, on the modus operandi of the rolling operational plan.

2.  Member States shall at least on a monthly basis inform the Agency of their planned national return operations, as well as of their needs for assistance or coordination by the Agency. The Agency shall draw up a rolling operational plan to provide the requesting Member States with the necessary operational reinforcement, including technical equipment. The Agency may, on its own initiative, include in the rolling operational plan the dates and destinations of return operations it considers necessary, based on a needs assessment. The Management Board shall decide, on a proposal of the Executive Director, on the modus operandi of the rolling operational plan.

3.  The Agency may provide the necessary assistance and ensure, at the request of the participating Member States, or propose on its own initiative, the coordination or the organisation of return operations, for which the means of transport and forced return escorts are made available by a third country of return (‘collecting return operations’). The participating Member States and the Agency shall ensure that the respect of fundamental rights and the proportionate use of means of constraints are guaranteed during the entire removal operation. At least a Member State representative and a forced return monitor from the pool established under Article 28 shall be present throughout the entire return operation until arrival at the third country of return.

3.  The Agency may provide the necessary assistance and ensure, at the request of the participating Member States, or propose on its own initiative, the coordination or the organisation of return operations, for which the means of transport and forced return escorts are made available by a third country of return (‘collecting return operations’). The participating Member States and the Agency shall ensure that the respect of fundamental rights, the principle of non-refoulement, and the proportionate use of means of constraints are guaranteed during the entire removal operation. At least a Member State representative and a forced return monitor from the pool established under Article 28 shall be present throughout the entire return operation until arrival at the third country of return.

4.  The Agency may provide the necessary assistance and ensure, at the request of the participating Member States or a third country, or propose on its own initiative, the coordination or the organisation of return operations, during which a number of returnees subject to a third-country return decision are passed from this third country to another third country of return (‘mixed return operations’), provided that the third country that issued the return decision is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights. The participating Member States and the Agency must ensure that the respect of fundamental rights and the proportionate use of means of constraints are guaranteed during the whole removal operation, notably with the presence of forced return monitors and of third-country forced return escorts.

5.  Every return operation shall be monitored in accordance with Article 8(6) of Directive 2008/115/EC. The monitoring of return operations shall be carried out on the basis of objective and transparent criteria and shall cover the whole return operation from the pre-departure phase until the hand-over of the returnees in the third country of return.

5.  Every return operation shall be monitored in accordance with Article 8(6) of Directive 2008/115/EC. The monitoring of forced return operations shall be carried out by the forced return monitor on the basis of objective and transparent criteria and shall cover the whole return operation from the pre-departure phase until the hand-over of the returnees in the third country of return. The forced return monitor shall submit a report on an operation to the Executive Director, the Fundamental Rights Officer and to the competent national authorities of all the Member States involved in that operation. Any appropriate follow-up shall be ensured by the Executive Director and competent national authorities respectively.

6.  The Agency shall finance or co-finance return operations with grants from its budget, in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency, giving priority to those conducted by more than one Member State, or from hotspot areas.

6.  The Agency shall finance or co-finance return operations from its budget and through contracts, in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency, giving priority to those conducted by more than one Member State, or from hotspot areas.

6a.  The Agency shall not coordinate, organise or propose return operations or return interventions to any third country where risks of fundamental rights violations or serious deficiencies have been identified though risk analysis or reports from Union institutions, EEAS or Union agencies.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall constitute a pool of forced return escorts from national competent bodies who carry out return operations in accordance with the requirements referred to in Article 8(4) and (5) of Directive 2008/115/EC and who have been trained in accordance with Article 35.

1.  The Agency shall, after consulting the European Agency on Fundamental Rights, constitute a pool of forced return monitors from national competent bodies who carry out forced return monitoring activities in accordance with Article 8(6) of Directive 2008/115/EC and who have been trained in accordance with Article 35.

2.  The Executive Director shall determine the profile and the number of the forced return escorts to be made available to that pool. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profile and the number. Member States shall contribute to the pool by nominating the forced return escorts corresponding to the defined profile.

2.  The Executive Director shall determine the profile and the number of the forced return monitors to be made available to that pool. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profile and the number. Member States shall contribute to the pool by nominating the forced return monitors corresponding to the defined profile. Forced return monitors with specific expertise in child protection shall be included in the pool.

3.  The Agency shall make available these escorts, upon request, to participating Member States to escort returnees on their behalf and to take part in return interventions.

3.  The Agency shall make available the forced return monitors, upon request, to participating Member States to monitor, on their behalf, the correct implementation of the return operation and to take part in return interventions. It shall make available forced return monitors with specific expertise in child protection for any return operation involving children.

3a.  Forced return monitors shall remain subject to the disciplinary measures of their home Member State in the course of a return operation or return intervention.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall constitute a pool of forced return escorts from national competent bodies who carry out return operations in accordance with the requirements referred to in Article 8(4) and (5) of Directive 2008/115/EC and who have been trained in accordance with Article 35.

1.  The Agency shall constitute a pool of forced return escorts from national competent bodies who carry out return operations in accordance with the requirements referred to in Article 8(4) and (5) of Directive 2008/115/EC and who have been trained in accordance with Article 35.

2.  The Executive Director shall determine the profile and the number of the forced return escorts to be made available to that pool. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profile and the number. Member States shall contribute to the pool by nominating the forced return escorts corresponding to the defined profile.

2.  The Executive Director shall determine the profile and the number of the forced return escorts to be made available to that pool. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profile and the number. Member States shall contribute to the pool by nominating the forced return escorts corresponding to the defined profile. Forced return escorts with specific expertise in child protection shall be included in the pool.

3.  The Agency shall make available these escorts, upon request, to participating Member States to escort returnees on their behalf and to take part in return interventions.

3.  The Agency shall make available these escorts, upon request, to participating Member States to escort returnees on their behalf and to take part in return operations and interventions. It shall make available forced return escorts with specific expertise in child protection for any return operation involving children.

3a.  Forced return escorts shall remain subject to the disciplinary measures of their home Member State in the course of a return operation or return intervention.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall constitute a pool of return specialists from national competent bodies and from the staff of the Agency, who have the skills and expertise required for carrying out return-related activities and who have been trained in accordance with Article 35. Those specialists shall be made available to carry out specific tasks, such as identification of particular groups of third-country nationals, the acquisition of travel documents from third countries and facilitation of consular cooperation.

1.  The Agency shall constitute a pool of return specialists from national competent bodies and from the staff of the Agency, who have the skills and expertise required for carrying out return-related activities and who have been trained in accordance with Article 35. Those specialists shall be made available to carry out specific tasks, such as identification of particular groups of third-country nationals, the acquisition of travel documents from third countries and facilitation of consular cooperation.

2.  The Executive Director shall determine the profile and the number of the forced return escorts to be made available to that pool. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profile and the number. Member States shall contribute to the pool by nominating the specialists corresponding to the defined profile.

2.  The Executive Director shall determine the profile and the number of the forced return escorts to be made available to that pool. The same procedure shall apply with regard to any subsequent changes in the profile and the number. Member States shall contribute to the pool by nominating the specialists corresponding to the defined profile. Return specialists with specific expertise in child protection shall be included in the pool.

3.  The Agency shall make available the specialists, upon request, to Member States participating in return operations and to take part in return interventions.

3.  The Agency shall make available the specialists, upon request, to Member States. It shall make available return specialists with specific expertise in child protection for any return operation involving children.

3a.  Return specialists shall remain subject to the disciplinary measures either of the Agency or of their home Member State in the course of a return operation or return intervention.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  In circumstances where Member States are facing a heavy burden when implementing the obligation to return illegally staying third-country nationals in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC, the Agency shall, upon request of one or more Member States, provide the appropriate technical and operational assistance in the form of a return intervention. Such intervention may consist in the deployment of European Return Intervention Teams to the host Member States and the organisation of return operations from the host Member States. Member States shall regularly inform the Agency of their needs for technical and operational assistance, and the Agency shall draw up a rolling plan for return interventions on this basis.

1.  In circumstances where Member States are facing a heavy burden when implementing the obligation to return third-country nationals who are the subject of return decisions issued by a Member State in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC, the Agency shall, upon request of one or more Member States, provide the appropriate technical and operational assistance in the form of a return intervention or a rapid return intervention. Such intervention may consist in the deployment or rapid deployment of European Return Intervention Teams to the host Member States and the organisation of return operations from the host Member States. Member States shall regularly inform the Agency of their needs for technical and operational assistance, and the Agency shall draw up a rolling plan for return interventions on this basis.

2.  In circumstances where Member States are facing specific and disproportionate pressure when implementing their obligation to return illegally staying third-country nationals in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC, the Agency shall, upon the request of one or more Member States, provide the appropriate technical and operational assistance in the form of a rapid return intervention. The Agency may propose on its own initiative to provide to the Member States such technical and operational assistance. A rapid return intervention may consist in the rapid deployment of European Return Intervention Teams to the host Member States and the organisation of return operations from the host Member States.

3.  The Executive Director shall draw up an operational plan without delay, in agreement with the host Member States and the Member States willing to participate in a return intervention.

3.  The Executive Director shall draw up an operational plan without delay, in agreement with the host Member States and the Member States willing to participate in a return intervention. Article 15 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

4.  The operational plan shall be binding on the Agency, the host Member States and the participating Member States, and it shall cover all aspects that are necessary for carrying out the return intervention, in particular the description of the situation, objectives, the start and foreseeable duration of the intervention, geographical coverage and possible deployment to third countries, composition of the European Return Intervention Team, logistics, financial provisions, modalities of cooperation with third countries, other Union agencies and bodies, relevant international and non-governmental organisations. Any amendment to or adaptation of the operational plan shall require the agreement of the Executive Director, the host Member State and the participating Member States. A copy of the amended or adapted operational plan shall be immediately sent by the Agency to the Member States concerned and the Management Board.

4.  The operational plan shall be binding on the Agency, the host Member States and the participating Member States, and it shall cover all aspects that are necessary for carrying out the return intervention, in particular the description of the situation, objectives, the start and foreseeable duration of the intervention, geographical coverage and possible deployment to third countries, composition of the European Return Intervention Team, logistics, financial provisions, modalities of cooperation with third countries, other Union agencies and bodies, relevant international and non-governmental organisations. Any amendment to or adaptation of the operational plan shall require the agreement of the Executive Director, the host Member State and the participating Member States. A copy of the amended or adapted operational plan shall be immediately sent by the Agency to the Member States concerned and the Management Board.

5.  The Executive Director shall take a decision on the operational plan as soon as possible and, in the case referred to in paragraph 2, within five working days. The decision shall be immediately notified in writing to the Member States concerned and to the Management Board.

5.  The Executive Director shall take a decision on the operational plan as soon as possible and, in the case referred to in paragraph 2, within five working days. The decision shall be immediately notified in writing to the Member States concerned and to the Management Board.

6.  The Agency shall finance or co-finance return interventions with grants from its budget in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency.

6.  The Agency shall finance or co-finance return interventions from its budget and through contracts in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agency.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The European Border and Coast Guard shall guarantee the protection of fundamental rights in the performance of its tasks under this Regulation in accordance with relevant Union law, in particular the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, relevant international law, including the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and obligations related to access to international protection, in particular the principle of non-refoulement. For that purpose, the Agency shall draw up and further develop and implement a Fundamental Rights Strategy.

1.  The European Border and Coast Guard shall guarantee the protection of fundamental rights in the performance of its tasks under this Regulation in accordance with relevant Union law, in particular the Charter, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, relevant international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol thereto and obligations related to access to international protection, in particular the principle of non-refoulement.

For that purpose, the Agency shall draw up and further develop and implement a Fundamental Rights Strategy including an effective mechanism to monitor the respect for fundamental rights in all the activities of the Agency.

It shall pay particular attention to children's rights so as to ensure that the best interests of the child are respected in all its activities.

2.  In the performance of its tasks the European Border and Coast Guard shall ensure that no person is disembarked in, forced to enter, conducted to or otherwise handed over or returned to the authorities of a country in contravention of the principle of non-refoulement, or from which there is a risk of expulsion or return to another country in contravention of that principle.

2.  In the performance of its tasks the European Border and Coast Guard shall ensure that no person is disembarked in, forced to enter, conducted to or otherwise handed over or returned to the authorities of a country in contravention of the principle of non-refoulement, or from which there is a risk of expulsion or return to another country in contravention of that principle.

3.  The European Border and Coast Guard shall, in the performance of its tasks, take into account the special needs of children, victims of trafficking in human beings, persons in need of medical assistance, persons in need of international protection, persons in distress at sea and other persons in a particularly vulnerable situation.

3.  The European Border and Coast Guard shall, in the performance of its tasks, take into account the special needs of children, unaccompanied minors, persons with disabilities, victims of trafficking in human beings, persons in need of medical assistance, persons in need of international protection, persons in distress at sea and other persons in a particularly vulnerable situation.

4.  In the performance of its tasks, in its relations with Member States and in its cooperation with third countries, the Agency shall take into account the reports of the Consultative Forum and the Fundamental Rights Officer.

4.  In the performance of its tasks, in its relations with Member States and in its cooperation with third countries, the Agency shall take into account the reports of the Consultative Forum and the Fundamental Rights Officer.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall draw up and further develop a Code of Conduct applicable to all border control operations coordinated by the Agency. The Code of Conduct shall lay down procedures intended to guarantee the principles of the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights with particular focus on unaccompanied minors and persons in a vulnerable situation, as well as on persons seeking international protection, applicable to all persons participating in the activities of the Agency.

1.  The Agency shall draw up and further develop a Code of Conduct applicable to all border control operations coordinated by the Agency. The Code of Conduct shall lay down procedures intended to guarantee the principles of the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights with particular focus on vulnerable persons, including children, unaccompanied minors and other persons in a vulnerable situation, as well as on persons seeking international protection, applicable to all persons participating in the activities of the Agency.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.  The Agency shall develop and regularly update a Code of Conduct for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals which shall apply during all return operations and return interventions coordinated or organised by the Agency. That Code of Conduct shall describe common standardised procedures to simplify the organisation of return operations and return interventions, and assure return in a humane manner and with full respect for fundamental rights, in particular the principles of human dignity, prohibition of torture and of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the right to liberty and security and the right to the protection of personal data and non-discrimination.

2.  The Agency shall develop and regularly update a Code of Conduct for the return of third-country nationals who are the subject of return decisions issued by a Member State in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC, which shall apply during all return operations and return interventions coordinated or organised by the Agency. That Code of Conduct shall describe common standardised procedures to simplify the organisation of return operations and return interventions, and assure return in a humane manner and with full respect for fundamental rights, in particular the principles of human dignity, prohibition of torture and of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the right to liberty and security and the right to the protection of personal data and non-discrimination.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall, in cooperation with the appropriate training entities of the Member States, develop specific training tools and provide border guards and other relevant staff who are members of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams with advanced training relevant to their tasks and powers. Experts from the staff of the Agency shall conduct regular exercises with those border guards in accordance with the advanced training and exercise schedule referred to in the annual work programme of the Agency.

1.  The Agency shall, in cooperation with the appropriate training entities of the Member States, EASO and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, develop specific training tools, including specific training in the protection of children and other persons in a vulnerable situation, and provide border guards and other relevant staff who are members of the European Border and Coast Guard Teams with advanced training relevant to their tasks and powers. Experts from the staff of the Agency shall conduct regular exercises with those border guards in accordance with the advanced training and exercise schedule referred to in the annual work programme of the Agency.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2a.  The Agency shall finance 100 % of the necessary training for border guards included in the rapid reaction pool referred to in Article 19(5), insofar as this training is required for the purposes of their participation in this pool.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.  The Agency shall establish and further develop common core curricula for the training of border guards and provide training at European level for instructors of the national border guards of Member States, including with regard to fundamental rights, access to international protection and relevant maritime law. The Agency shall draw up the common core curricula after consulting the Consultative Forum. Member States shall integrate the common core curricula in the training of their national border guards and staff involved in return-related tasks.

4.  The Agency shall establish and further develop common core curricula for the training of border guards and provide training at European level for instructors of the national border guards of Member States, including with regard to fundamental rights, access to international protection and relevant maritime law. The core curricula shall aim to promote the highest standards and best practices in the implementation of Union border management legislation. The Agency shall draw up the common core curricula after consulting the Consultative Forum. Member States shall integrate the common core curricula in the training of their national border guards and staff involved in return-related tasks.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall proactively monitor and contribute to research and innovation activities relevant for the control of the external borders, including the use of advanced surveillance technology such as remotely piloted aircraft systems, and for return. The Agency shall disseminate the results of that research to the Commission and the Member States. It may use those results as appropriate in joint operations, rapid border interventions, return operations and return interventions.

1.  The Agency shall proactively monitor and contribute to research and innovation activities relevant for European integrated border management. The Agency shall disseminate the results of that research to the European Parliament, to the Member States and to the Commission and make them publicly available. It may use those results as appropriate in joint operations, rapid border interventions, return operations and return interventions.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.  The Agency shall assist the Member States and the Commission in identifying key research themes. The Agency shall assist the Commission in the definition and accomplishment of the relevant Union framework programmes for research and innovation activities.

2.  The Agency shall assist the Member States and the Commission in identifying key research themes. The Agency shall assist Member States and the Commission in the definition and accomplishment of the relevant Union framework programmes for research and innovation activities.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   The Agency may acquire technical equipment, such as fingerprinting equipment, by decision of the Executive Director in consultation with the Management Board. Any acquisition or leasing of equipment entailing significant costs to the Agency shall be preceded by a thorough needs and cost/benefit analysis. Any such expenditure shall be provided for in the Agency’s budget as adopted by the Management Board.

2.  The Agency may acquire technical equipment by decision of the Executive Director in consultation with the Management Board. Any acquisition or leasing of equipment entailing significant costs to the Agency shall be preceded by a thorough needs and cost/benefit analysis and be decided upon by the Management Board. Any such expenditure shall be provided for in the Agency’s budget as adopted by the Management Board.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3.   Where the Agency acquires or leases major technical equipment, such as open sea and coastal patrol vessels, helicopters or other aircraft or vehicles the following conditions shall apply:

3.  Where the Agency acquires or leases major technical equipment the following conditions shall apply:

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   On the basis of a model agreement drawn up by the Agency, the Member State of registration and the Agency shall agree on modalities ensuring the periods of full availability of the co-owned assets for the Agency, as well as on the terms of use of the equipment. Technical equipment owned solely by the Agency shall be made available to the Agency upon its request and the Member State of registration may not invoke the exceptional situation referred to in Article 38(4).

4.  On the basis of a model agreement drawn up by the Agency, the Member State of registration and the Agency shall agree on modalities ensuring the periods of full availability of the co-owned assets for the Agency, as well as on the terms of use of the equipment. Technical equipment owned solely by the Agency shall be made available to the Agency upon its request at any time and the Member State of registration may not invoke the exceptional situation referred to in Article 38(4).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall set up and keep centralised records of equipment in a technical equipment pool composed of equipment owned either by the Member States or by the Agency and equipment co-owned by the Member States and the Agency for external border control or return purposes.

1.  The Agency shall set up and keep centralised records of equipment in a technical equipment pool composed of equipment owned either by the Member States or by the Agency and equipment co-owned by the Member States and the Agency for external border control, border surveillance, search and rescue or return purposes.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1a.  Equipment owned by the Agency shall be fully available for deployment at any time as referred to in Article 37(4).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1b.  Equipment co-owned by the Agency at a share of more than 50% shall also be fully available for deployment at any time.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1c.  The Agency shall ensure the compatibility and interoperability of the equipment listed in the technical equipment pool.

To that end it shall define technical standards to be met by equipment to be acquired, totally or partially, by the Agency and of the equipment owned by Member States which is listed in the technical equipment pool.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3a.  Equipment included in the technical equipment pool shall be made available at any time for rapid border interventions. Member States may not invoke the exceptional situation referred to in paragraph 4.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   Member States shall contribute to the technical equipment pool. The contribution by Member States to the pool and deployment of the technical equipment for specific operations shall be planned on the basis of annual bilateral negotiations and agreements between the Agency and Member States. In accordance with those agreements and to the extent that it forms part of the minimum number of technical equipment for a given year, Member States shall make their technical equipment available for deployment at the request of the Agency, unless they are faced with an exceptional situation substantially affecting the discharge of national tasks. Such request shall be made at least 30 days before the intended deployment. The contributions to the technical equipment pool shall be reviewed annually.

4.  Member States shall contribute to the technical equipment pool. The contribution by Member States to the pool and deployment of the technical equipment for specific operations shall be planned on the basis of annual bilateral negotiations and agreements between the Agency and Member States. In accordance with those agreements and to the extent that it forms part of the minimum number of technical equipment for a given year, Member States shall make their technical equipment available for deployment at the request of the Agency, unless they are faced with an exceptional situation substantially affecting the discharge of national tasks. If a Member State invokes such an exceptional situation, it shall provide detailed reasons and information on the situation in a letter to the Agency, the content of which shall be included in the report referred to in paragraph 7. Such a request shall be made at least 30 days before the intended deployment. The contributions to the technical equipment pool shall be reviewed annually.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5a.  If unexpected needs for technical equipment for a joint operation or a rapid border intervention arise after the minimum amount of technical equipment has been set and those needs cannot be met from the technical equipment pool, Member States shall on an ad hoc basis make the necessary technical equipment available for deployment to the Agency upon its request.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

7.   The Agency shall inform the European Parliament on an annual basis of the number of technical equipment that each Member State has committed to the technical equipment pool in accordance with this Article.

7.  The Agency shall submit a report to the European Parliament on an annual basis of the number of technical equipment that each Member State has committed to the technical equipment pool in accordance with this Article. That report shall list the Member States that invoked the exceptional situation referred to in paragraph 4 in the previous year and include the reasons and information provided by the Member State concerned.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  Members of the teams shall have the capacity to perform all tasks and exercise all powers for border control and return as well as those which are necessary for the realisation of the objectives of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 and Directive 2008/115/EC, respectively.

1.  Members of the teams shall have the capacity to perform all tasks and exercise all powers for border control and return as well as those which are necessary for the realisation of the objectives of Regulation (EC) No 2016/399 and Directive 2008/115/EC, respectively.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   Members of the teams shall wear their own uniform while performing their tasks and exercising their powers. They shall wear a blue armband with the insignia of the Union and the Agency on their uniforms, identifying them as participating in a joint operation, pilot project, rapid border intervention, return operation or return intervention. For the purposes of identification vis-à-vis the national authorities of the host Member State, members of the teams shall, at all times, carry an accreditation document, which they shall present upon request.

4.  Members of the teams shall wear their own uniform while performing their tasks and exercising their powers. They shall also wear visible personal identification and a blue armband with the insignia of the Union and the Agency on their uniforms, identifying them as participating in a joint operation, pilot project, rapid border intervention, return operation or return intervention. For the purposes of identification vis-à-vis the national authorities of the host Member State, members of the teams shall, at all times, carry an accreditation document, which they shall present upon request.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

8.  For the purpose of this Regulation, the host Member State shall authorise members of the teams to consult its national and European databases the consultation of which is necessary for border checks, border surveillance and return. The members of the teams shall consult only those data which are required for performing their tasks and exercising their powers. The host Member State shall, in advance of the deployment of the members of the teams, inform the Agency of the national and European databases which may be consulted. The Agency shall make this information available to all Member States participating in the deployment.

8.  For the purpose of this Regulation, the host Member State shall authorise members of the teams to consult its national and European databases the consultation of which is necessary for border checks, border surveillance and return. Member States shall ensure that they provide such database access in an efficient and effective manner. The members of the teams shall consult only those data which are required for performing their tasks and exercising their powers. The host Member State shall, in advance of the deployment of the members of the teams, inform the Agency of the national and European databases which may be consulted. The Agency shall make this information available to all Member States participating in the deployment.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

9.  Decisions to refuse entry in accordance with Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 shall be taken only by border guards of the host Member State or by the members of the teams if authorised by the host Member State to act on its behalf.

9.  Decisions to refuse entry in accordance with Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 2016/399 shall be taken only by border guards of the host Member State or by the members of the teams if authorised by the host Member State to act on its behalf.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  Where members of the teams are operating in a host Member State, that Member State shall be liable in accordance with its national law for any damage caused by them during their operations.

1.  Where members of the teams are operating in a host Member State, that Member State shall be liable in accordance with its national law for any damage caused by them during their operations.

2.  Where such damage is caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct, the host Member State may approach the home Member State in order to have any sums it has paid to the victims or persons entitled on their behalf reimbursed by the home Member State.

2.  Where such damage is caused by gross negligence or wilful misconduct or in excess of duty, the host Member State may approach the home Member State or the Agency in order to have any sums it has paid to the victims or persons entitled on their behalf reimbursed by the home Member State or by the Agency.

3.  Without prejudice to the exercise of its rights vis-à-vis third parties, each Member State shall waive all its claims against the host Member State or any other Member State for any damage it has sustained, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

3.  Without prejudice to the exercise of its rights vis-à-vis third parties, each Member State shall waive all its claims against the host Member State or any other Member State for any damage it has sustained, except in cases of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

4.  Any dispute between Member States relating to the application of paragraphs 2 and 3 which cannot be resolved by negotiations between them shall be submitted by them to the Court of Justice of the European Union in accordance with Article 273 TFEU.

4.  Any dispute between Member States or between a Member State and the Agency relating to the application of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 which cannot be resolved by negotiations between them shall be submitted by them to the Court of Justice of the European Union in accordance with the Treaties.

4a.  Where members of the teams are operating on the territory of a third country the Agency shall be liable for any damage caused by them during their operations. Paragraphs 2 , 3 and 4 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

5.  Without prejudice to the exercise of its rights vis-à-vis third parties, the Agency shall meet costs related to damage caused to the Agency’s equipment during deployment, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

5.  Without prejudice to the exercise of its rights vis-à-vis third parties, the Agency shall meet costs related to damage caused to the Agency’s equipment during deployment, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.  The Management Board shall establish measures for the application of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 by the Agency, including those concerning the Data Protection Officer of the Agency. Those measures shall be established after consultation of the European Data Protection Supervisor.

2.  A Data Protection Officer shall be appointed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001. The Management Board shall establish measures for the implementation of that Regulation by the Agency. Those measures shall be established after consultation of the European Data Protection Supervisor.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.  Without prejudice to Article 47, the transfer of personal data processed by the Agency and the onward transfer by Member States to authorities of third countries or third parties of personal data processed in the framework of this Regulation shall be prohibited.

4.  Without prejudice to Article 47, the transfer of personal data processed by the Agency and the onward transfer by Member States to authorities of third countries or third parties, including international organisations, of personal data processed in the framework of this Regulation shall be prohibited.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3.  A Member State or other Union Agency providing personal data to the Agency shall determine the purpose or the purposes for which it shall be processed as referred to in paragraph 1. If it has not done so, the Agency in consultation with the provider of personal data concerned shall process it in order to determine its necessity in relation to the purpose or the purposes as referred to in paragraph 1 for which it shall be further processed. The Agency may process information for a different purpose than the one in paragraph 1 only if authorised by the data provider of the information.

3.  A Member State or other Union Agency providing personal data to the Agency shall determine the purpose or the purposes for which it shall be processed as referred to in paragraph 1. The Agency may process such personal data for a different purpose which also falls under paragraph 1 only if authorised by the data provider of the information.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The use by the Agency of personal data collected and transmitted to it by the Member States or by its own staff in the context of joint operations, pilot projects and rapid border interventions, and by migration management support teamsshall be limited to:

1.  The use by the Agency of personal data collected and transmitted to it by the Member States or by its own staff in the context of joint operations, pilot projects and rapid border interventions, and by migration management support teams shall be limited to:

(a)   personal data regarding persons who are suspected, on reasonable grounds, by the competent authorities of the Member States of involvement in cross-border criminal activities, including in facilitating irregular immigration activities, in trafficking in human beings or terrorism;

(a)  personal data regarding persons who are suspected, on reasonable grounds, by the competent authorities of the Member States of involvement in cross-border criminal activities, such as the criminal smuggling of persons, trafficking in human beings or terrorism;

(b)   personal data regarding persons who cross the external borders illegally and whose data is collected by the European Border and Coast Guard Teams, including when acting in the framework of the migration management support teams;

(b)  personal data regarding persons who cross the external borders irregularly and whose data is collected by the European Border and Coast Guard Teams, including when acting in the framework of the migration management support teams;

(c)   license plate numbers, telephone numbers or ship identification numbers, which are necessary for investigating and analysing routes and methods used for irregular immigration and cross-border criminal activities.

(c)  license plate numbers, telephone numbers or ship identification numbers, which are linked to the persons referred to in (a) and (b), and which are necessary for investigating and analysing routes and methods used for irregular migration and cross-border criminal activities;

Personal data regarding persons referred to in paragraph 1(b) shall not be transferred to law enforcement agencies or processed for the purpose of preventing, detecting, investigating or prosecuting criminal offences.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(a)   where transmission to the European Asylum Support Office, Europol or Eurojust is necessary for use in accordance with their respective mandates and in accordance with Article 51;

(a)  where transmission to EASO, Europol or Eurojust is necessary for use in accordance with their respective mandates and in accordance with Article 51;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b)   where transmission to the authorities of the relevant Member States which are responsible for border control, migration, asylum or law enforcement is necessary for use in accordance with national legislation and national and EU data protection rules;

(b)  where transmission to the authorities of the relevant Member States which are responsible for border control, migration, asylum or law enforcement is necessary for use in accordance with national legislation and national and Union data protection rules;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2a.  Classification shall not preclude information being made available to the European Parliament. The transmission and handling of information and documents transmitted to the European Parliament in accordance with this Regulation shall comply with rules concerning the forwarding and handling of classified information which are applicable between the European Parliament and the Commission.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall cooperate with the Commission, other Union institutions, the European External Action Service, Europol, the European Asylum Support Office, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Eurojust, the European Union Satellite Centre, the European Maritime Safety Agency and the European Fisheries Control Agency as well as other Union, agencies, bodies, offices in matters covered by this Regulation, and in particular with the objectives of preventing and combating irregular immigration and cross-border crime including the facilitation of irregular immigration, trafficking in human being and terrorism.

1.  The Agency shall cooperate with the Commission, other Union institutions, the European External Action Service, EASO, Europol, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Eurojust, the European Union Satellite Centre, the European Maritime Safety Agency and the European Fisheries Control Agency as well as other Union, agencies, bodies, offices in matters covered by this Regulation, and in particular with the objectives of better managing irregular immigration and preventing and detecting cross-border crime such as the criminal smuggling of persons, trafficking in human being and terrorism.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.  The Union institutions, agencies, bodies, offices and international organisations referred to in paragraph 1, shall use information received by the Agency only within the limits of their competences and in compliance with fundamental rights, including data protection requirements. Onward transmission or other communication of personal data processed by the Agency to other Union agencies or bodies shall be subject to specific working arrangements regarding the exchange of personal data and subject to the prior approval of the European Data Protection Supervisor. As regards the handling of classified information, those arrangements shall provide that the Union institution, body, office, agency or international organisation concerned shall comply with security rules and standards equivalent to those applied by the Agency.

4.  The Union institutions, agencies, bodies, offices and international organisations referred to in paragraph 1, shall use information received by the Agency only within the limits of their competences and in compliance with fundamental rights, including data protection requirements. Onward transmission or other communication of personal data processed by the Agency to other Union agencies or bodies shall be subject to specific working arrangements regarding the exchange of personal data and subject to the prior approval of the European Data Protection Supervisor. Any transfer of personal data shall be in line with the data protection provisions laid down in Articles 44 to 48. As regards the handling of classified information, those arrangements shall provide that the Union institution, body, office, agency or international organisation concerned shall comply with security rules and standards equivalent to those applied by the Agency.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5.  The Agency may also, with the agreement of the Member States concerned, invite observers of Union institutions, agencies, bodies, offices or international organisations to participate in its activities in particular, joint operations and pilot projects, risk analysis and training, to the extent that their presence is in accordance with the objectives of those activities, may contribute to the improvement of cooperation and the exchange of best practices, and does not affect the overall safety and security of those activities. The participation of those observers in risk analysis and training may take place only with the agreement of the Member States concerned. As regards joint operations and pilot projects the participation of observers is subject to agreement of the host Member State. Detailed rules on the participation of observers shall be included in the operational plan. Those observers shall receive the appropriate training from the Agency prior to their participation.

5.  The Agency may also, with the agreement of the Member States concerned, invite non-military observers of Union institutions, agencies, bodies, offices or international organisations to participate in its activities in particular, joint operations and pilot projects, risk analysis and training, to the extent that their presence is in accordance with the objectives of those activities, may contribute to the improvement of cooperation and the exchange of best practices, and does not affect the overall safety and security of those activities. The participation of those observers in risk analysis and training may take place only with the agreement of the Member States concerned. As regards joint operations and pilot projects the participation of observers is subject to agreement of the host Member State. Detailed rules on the participation of observers shall be included in the operational plan. Those observers shall receive the appropriate training from the Agency prior to their participation.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b)   providing surveillance and communication services based on state-of-the-art technology, including space-based and ground infrastructure and sensors mounted on any kind of platform, such as remotely piloted aircraft systems;

(b)  providing surveillance and communication services based on state-of-the-art technology, including space-based and ground infrastructure and sensors mounted on any kind of platform;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(c)   capacity building by elaborating guidelines, recommendations and best practices as well as by supporting the training and exchange of staff, with a view to enhancing the exchange of information and cooperation on coast guard functions;

(c)  capacity building by elaborating guidelines, recommendations and best practices as well as by providing training and exchange of staff;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(ca)  enhancing the exchange of information and cooperation on coast guard functions including by discussing operational challenges and emerging risks in the maritime domain;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.  The modalities of the cooperation on coast guard functions of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency with the European Fisheries Control Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency shall be determined in a working arrangement, in accordance with the financial rules applicable to the Agencies.

2.  The modalities of the cooperation on coast guard functions of the Agency with the European Fisheries Control Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency shall be determined in a working arrangement, in accordance with their respective mandates and the financial rules applicable to the Agencies.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  In matters covered by its activities and to the extent required for the fulfilment of its tasks, the Agency shall facilitate and encourage operational cooperation between Member States and third countries, within the framework of the external relations policy of the Union, including with regard to the protection of fundamental rights. The Agency and the Member States shall comply with norms and standards at least equivalent to those set by Union legislation also when cooperation with third countries takes place on the territory of those countries. The establishment of cooperation with third countries shall serve to promote European border management and return standards.

1.  In matters covered by its activities and to the extent required for the fulfilment of its tasks, the Agency shall facilitate and encourage technical and operational cooperation between Member States and third countries, within the framework of the external relations policy of the Union, including with regard to the protection of fundamental rights and the principle of non-refoulement. The Agency and the Member States shall comply with Union law, including norms and standards which form part of the Union acquis also when cooperation with third countries takes place on the territory of those countries. The establishment of cooperation with third countries shall serve to promote European border management and return standards.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.  The Agency may cooperate with the authorities of third countries competent in matters covered by this Regulation with the support of and in coordination with Union delegations, as well as within the framework of working arrangements concluded with those authorities in accordance with Union law and policy. Those working arrangements shall be related to the management of operational cooperation. Such arrangements shall have received the Commission’s prior approval.

2.  The Agency may cooperate with the authorities of third countries competent in matters covered by this Regulation with the support of and in coordination with Union delegations. When doing so, it shall act within the framework of the external relations policy of the Union, including with regard to the protection of fundamental rights and the principle of non-refoulement as well as within the framework of working arrangements concluded with those authorities in accordance with Union law and policy. Those working arrangements shall specify the scope, nature and purpose of the cooperation and be related to the management of operational cooperation. Such draft arrangements shall be sent to the European Parliament and shall subsequently require the Commission’s prior approval. The Agency shall comply with Union law, including norms and standards which form part of the Union acquis.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3.  In circumstances requiring increased technical and operational assistance, the Agency may coordinate operational cooperation between Member States and third countries in the field of management of external borders, and it shall have the possibility of carrying out joint operations at the external borders involving one or more Member States and a third country neighbouring at least one of those Member States, subject to the agreement of that neighbouring third country, including on the territory of that third country. The Commission shall be informed of such activities.

3.  In circumstances requiring increased technical and operational assistance, the Agency may coordinate operational cooperation between Member States and third countries in the field of management of external borders, and it shall have the possibility of carrying out joint operations at the external borders involving one or more Member States and a third country neighbouring at least one of those Member States, subject to the agreement of that neighbouring third country, including on the territory of that third country subject to the agreement of an operational plan between the Agency, the host Member State and the third country concerned. Article 15 shall apply mutatis mutandis. The Commission shall be informed of such activities.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5.  The Agency may also, with the agreement of the Member States concerned invite observers from third countries to participate in its activities at the external borders referred to in Article 13, return operations referred to in Article 27, return interventions referred to in Article 32 and training referred to in Article 35, to the extent that their presence is in accordance with the objectives of those activities, may contribute to improving cooperation and the exchange of best practices, and does not affect the overall safety of those activities. The participation of those observers may take place only with the agreement of the Member States concerned regarding the activities referred to in Articles 13, 27 and 35 and only with the agreement of the host Member State regarding those referred to in Article 13 and 32. Detailed rules on the participation of observers shall be included in the operational plan. Those observers shall receive the appropriate training from the Agency prior to their participation.

5.  The Agency may also, with the agreement of the Member States concerned invite non-military observers from third countries to participate in its activities at the external borders referred to in Article 13, return operations referred to in Article 27, return interventions referred to in Article 32 and training referred to in Article 35, to the extent that their presence is in accordance with the objectives of those activities, may contribute to improving cooperation and the exchange of best practices, and does not affect the overall safety of those activities. The participation of those observers may take place only with the agreement of the Member States concerned regarding the activities referred to in Articles 13, 18, 27 and 35 and only with the agreement of the host Member State regarding those referred to in Article 13 and 32. Detailed rules on the participation of observers shall be included in the operational plan. Those observers shall receive the appropriate training from the Agency prior to their participation and shall be required to adhere to the Codes of Conduct of the Agency while participating in its activities.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

8a.  Member States shall not be obliged to participate in activities on the territory of third countries.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

9.  The Agency shall inform the European Parliament of the activities referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3.

9.  The Agency shall inform the European Parliament of the activities referred to in this Article and shall include an assessment of the cooperation with third countries in its annual reports.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency may deploy experts of its own staff as liaison officers, who should enjoy the highest possible protection to carry out their duties, in third countries. They shall form part of the local or regional cooperation networks of immigration liaison officers and security experts of the Union and of the Member States, including the network set up pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 377/2004.

1.  The Agency may deploy experts of its own staff as liaison officers, who should enjoy the highest possible protection to carry out their duties, in third countries. They shall form part of the local or regional cooperation networks of immigration liaison officers and security experts of the Union and of the Member States, including the network set up pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 377/2004.

Liaison officers shall only be deployed to third countries in which border management practices comply with minimum human rights standards.

2.  Within the framework of the external relations policy of the Union, priority for deployment of liaison officers shall be given to those third countries which, on the basis of risk analysis, constitute a country of origin or transit regarding irregular immigration. On a reciprocal basis the Agency may receive liaison officers posted by those third countries. The Management Board shall adopt, on a proposal of the Executive Director the list of priorities on a yearly basis. The deployment of liaison officers shall be approved by the Management Board.

2.  Within the framework of the external relations policy of the Union, priority for deployment of liaison officers shall be given to those third countries which, on the basis of risk analysis, constitute a country of origin or transit regarding irregular migration. On a reciprocal basis the Agency may receive liaison officers posted by those third countries. The Management Board shall adopt, on a proposal of the Executive Director the list of priorities on a yearly basis. The deployment of liaison officers shall be approved by the Management Board.

3.  The tasks of the Agency’s liaison officers shall include, in compliance with Union law and in accordance with fundamental rights, establishing and maintaining contacts with the competent authorities of the third country to which they are assigned with a view to contributing to the prevention of and fight against irregular immigration and the return of illegally staying third-country nationals. Those liaison officers shall coordinate closely with Union delegations.

3.  The tasks of the Agency’s liaison officers shall include, in compliance with Union law and in accordance with fundamental rights, establishing and maintaining contacts with the competent authorities of the third country to which they are assigned with a view to contributing to the prevention of and fight against irregular migration and the return of third-country nationals who are the subject of return decisions issued by a Member State in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC. Those liaison officers shall coordinate closely with Union delegations.

4.  The decision to deploy liaison officers to third countries shall be subject to receiving a prior opinion of the Commission, and the European Parliament shall be fully informed of those activities as soon as possible.

4.  The decision to deploy liaison officers to third countries shall be subject to receiving a prior opinion of the Commission, and the European Parliament shall be fully informed of those activities without delay.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.  The Court of Justice shall have jurisdiction in disputes relating to compensation for the damage referred to in paragraph 3.

4.  The Court of Justice shall have jurisdiction in disputes relating to compensation for the damage referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article and in Article 41(4a).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(c)   a Supervisory Board;

(c)  an Advisory Board;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(a)   appoint the Executive Director on a proposal from the Commission in accordance with Article 68;

deleted

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(b)   appoint the members of the Supervisory Board in accordance with Article 69(2);

(b)  appoint the members of the Advisory Board in accordance with Article 69(2);

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(d)   adopt a consolidated annual activity report of the Agency for the previous year and forward it by 1 July at the latest to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors; the consolidated annual activity report shall be made public;

(d)  adopt an annual activity report of the Agency for the previous year and forward it by 1 July at the latest to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors; the annual activity report shall be made public;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(e)   before 30 November each year, and after taking into account the opinion of the Commission, adopt, by a majority of two-thirds of the members entitled to vote, a single programming document containing the Agency’s multiannual programming and its work programme for the following year and forward it to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission;

(e)  before 30 November each year, and after taking into account the opinion of the Commission, adopt, by a majority of two-thirds of the members entitled to vote and its work programme for the following year and forward it to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(ga)  decide on any acquisition or leasing of equipment entailing significant costs to the Agency referred to in Article 37;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(p)   adopt and regularly update the communication and dissemination plans referred to in Article 7(3) based on an analysis of needs;

(p)  adopt and regularly update the communication and dissemination plans referred to in Article 7(3);

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(qa)  decide on the objective criteria of the vulnerability assessment and on enhanced assessment and monitoring of a Member State referred to in Article 12 (1).

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   Proposals for decisions on specific activities of the Agency to be carried out at, or in the immediate vicinity of, the external border of any particular Member State shall require a vote in favour of their adoption by the Member of the Management Board representing that Member State.

deleted

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

6.   The Management Board may establish a small-sized Executive Board composed of the Chairperson of the Management Board, one representative of the Commission and three members of the Management Board, to assist it and the Executive Director with regard to the preparation of the decisions, programmes and activities to be adopted by the Management Board and when necessary, because of urgency, to take certain provisional decisions on behalf of the Management Board.

6.  The Management Board may establish a small-sized Executive Board composed of the Chairperson of the Management Board, one representative of the Commission and three members of the Management Board, to assist it and the Executive Director with regard to the preparation of the decisions, programmes and activities to be adopted by the Management Board and when necessary, because of urgency, to take certain provisional decisions on behalf of the Management Board. The Management Board may provide for the delegation of certain clearly defined tasks to the Executive Board, in particular where this improves the efficiency of the Agency.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Multiannual programming and annual work programmes

Annual work programmes

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.   The Management Board shall, by 30 November each year, adopt a programming document containing the Agency’s multiannual programming and annual programming for the following year, based on a draft put forward by the Executive Director, taking into account the opinion of the Commission and, as regards the multiannual programming, after having consulted the European Parliament. The Management Board shall forward that document to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

1.  The Management Board shall, by 30 November each year, adopt the Agency’s annual programming for the following year, based on a draft put forward by the Executive Director, taking into account the opinion of the Commission. The Management Board shall, without delay, forward that document to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

3.   The multiannual programming shall set out overall strategic programming in the medium and long term, including the objectives, expected results and performance indicators, as well as resource planning, including the multiannual budget and staff. The multiannual programming shall set the strategic areas of interventions and explain what needs to be done to achieve the objectives. It shall include a strategy for relations with third countries and international organisations, as well as the actions linked to that strategy.

deleted

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

4.   The multiannual programming shall be implemented by means of annual work programmes and shall, where appropriate, be updated following the outcome of the evaluation referred to in Article 80. The conclusion of those evaluations shall also be reflected, where appropriate, in the annual work programme for the following year.

deleted

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

5.   The annual work programme shall contain a description of the activities to be financed comprising detailed objectives and expected results including performance indicators. It shall also contain an indication of the financial and human resources allocated to each activity, in accordance with the principles of activity-based budgeting and management. The annual work programme shall be consistent with the multiannual programming. It shall clearly indicate tasks that have been added, changed or deleted compared to the previous financial year.

5.  The annual work programme shall contain a description of the activities to be financed comprising detailed objectives and expected results including performance indicators. It shall also contain an indication of the financial and human resources allocated to each activity, in accordance with the principles of activity-based budgeting and management. It shall clearly indicate tasks that have been added, changed or deleted compared to the previous financial year.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Agency shall be managed by its Executive Director, who shall be completely independent in the performance of his or her duties. Without prejudice to the respective competencies of the Commission and the Management Board, the Executive Director shall neither seek nor take instructions from any government or from any other body.

1.  The Agency shall be managed by its Executive Director, who shall be completely independent in the performance of his or her duties and neither seek nor take instructions from anybody. Without prejudice to the respective competencies of the Commission and the Management Board, the Executive Director shall neither seek nor take instructions from any government or from any other body.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

2.   The European Parliament or the Council may invite the Executive Director to report on the carrying out of his or her tasks, in particular on the implementation and monitoring of the Fundamental Rights Strategy, the consolidated annual activity report of the Agency for the previous year, the work programme for the following year and the Agency’s multiannual programming.

2.  The European Parliament or the Council may invite the Executive Director to report on the carrying out of his or her tasks, including on the implementation and monitoring of the Fundamental Rights Strategy, the annual activity report of the Agency for the previous year, the work programme for the following year or any other matter related to the activities of the Agency. The Executive Director shall make a statement before the European Parliament and report to it regularly.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(d)   to prepare each year the consolidated annual activity report on the Agency’s activities and submit it to the Management Board;

(d)  to prepare each year the annual activity report on the Agency’s activities and submit it to the Management Board;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(k)   to ensure the implementation of the Commission decision referred to in Article 18;

(k)  to ensure the implementation of the Council decision referred to in Article 18;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(l)   to withdraw financing of a joint operation or rapid border intervention or to suspend or terminate such operations in accordance with Article 24;

(l)  to withdraw financing of activities in accordance with Article 24;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(m)   to evaluate the results of joint operations and rapid border interventions in accordance with Article 25;

(m)  to evaluate the results of activities in accordance with Article 25;

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  The Commission shall propose candidates for the post of the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director based on a list following publication of the post in the Official Journal of the European Union and other press or internet sites as appropriate.

1.  The European Parliament and the Council shall, by common accord, appoint the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director based on a list drawn up by the Commission following publication of the post in the Official Journal of the European Union and other press or internet sites as appropriate.

2.  The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Management Board on the grounds of merit and documented high-level administrative and management skills, as well as senior professional experience in the field of management of the external borders and return. The Management Board shall take its decision by a two-thirds majority of all members with a right to vote.

2.  The Executive Director shall be chosen on the grounds of merit, independence and documented high-level administrative and management skills, as well as senior professional experience in the field of management of the external borders and return.

Power to dismiss the Executive Director shall lie with the Management Board, acting on a proposal from the Commission, according to the same procedure.

3.  The Executive Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive Director. If the Executive Director is absent or indisposed, the Deputy Executive Director shall take his or her place.

3.  The Executive Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive Director. If the Executive Director is absent or indisposed, the Deputy Executive Director shall take his or her place.

4.  The Deputy Executive Director shall be appointed by the Management Board on the grounds of merit and documented appropriate administrative and management skills, as well as relevant professional experience in the field of management of the external borders and return on the proposal of the Commission, after having consulted the Executive Director. The Management Board shall take its decision by a two-thirds majority of all members with a right to vote.

4.  The Deputy Executive Director shall be chosen on the grounds of merit and documented appropriate administrative and management skills, as well as relevant professional experience in the field of management of the external borders and return. The Deputy Executive Director shall be appointed for five years.

Power to dismiss the Deputy Executive Director shall be with the Management Board, according to the same procedure.

5.   The term of office of the Executive Director shall be five years. By the end of that period, the Commission shall undertake an assessment that takes into account an evaluation of the Executive Director’s performance and the Agency’s future tasks and challenges.

5.  The term of office of the Executive Director shall be five years. By the end of that period, the Commission shall undertake an assessment that takes into account an evaluation of the Executive Director’s performance and the Agency’s future tasks and challenges.

6.  The Management Board, acting on a proposal from the Commission that takes into account the assessment referred to in paragraph 5, may extend the term of office of the Executive Director once, for no more than five years.

7.  The term of the office of the Deputy Executive Director shall be five years. It may be extended by the Management Board once for another period of up to five years.

7a.  The Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director shall be eligible for reappointment.

7b.  Apart from normal replacement or death, the duties of the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director shall end in the event of resignation. The Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director may be dismissed by the Court of Justice at the request of the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, if he or she no longer fulfils the conditions required for the performance of his or her duties or if he or she is guilty of serious misconduct.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

Supervisory Board

Advisory Board

1.  The Supervisory Board shall advise the Executive Director:

1.  The Advisory Board shall advise the Executive Director:

(a)  on the recommendations to be made by the Executive Director to a Member State concerned to initiate and carry out joint operations or rapid border interventions in accordance with Article 14(4);

(a)  on the recommendations to be made by the Executive Director to a Member State concerned to initiate and carry out joint operations or rapid border interventions in accordance with Article 14(4);

(b)   on the decisions to be taken by the Executive Director to Member States based on the outcome of the vulnerability assessment carried out by the Agency in accordance with Article 12;

(b)  on the decisions to be taken by the Executive Director to Member States based on the outcome of the vulnerability assessment carried out by the Agency in accordance with Article 12;

(c)   on the measures needed to be taken for the practical execution of the Commission decision related to a situation requiring urgent action at the external borders, including the technical equipment and staff needed to meet the objectives of that decision in accordance with Article 18(3).

(c)  on the measures needed to be taken for the practical execution of the Council decision related to a situation requiring urgent action at the external borders, including the technical equipment and staff needed to meet the objectives of that decision in accordance with Article 18(3).

2.  The Supervisory Board shall be composed of the Deputy Executive Director, four other senior officials of the Agency to be appointed by the Management Board and one of the representatives of the Commission to the Management Board. The Supervisory Board shall be chaired by the Deputy Executive Director.

2.  The Advisory Board shall be composed of the Deputy Executive Director, three other senior officials of the Agency to be appointed by the Management Board, the Fundamental Rights Officer and one of the representatives of the Commission to the Management Board. The Advisory Board shall be chaired by the Deputy Executive Director.

3.  The Supervisory Board shall report to the Management Board.

3.  The Advisory Board shall report to the Management Board.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  A Consultative Forum shall be established by the Agency to assist the Executive Director and the Management Board in fundamental rights matters.

1.  An independent consultative Forum shall be established by the Agency to assist the Executive Director and the Management Board in fundamental rights matters.

2.  The Agency shall invite the European Asylum Support Office, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant organisations to participate in the Consultative Forum. On a proposal by the Executive Director, the Management Board shall decide on the composition and the working methods of the Consultative Forum and the modalities of the transmission of information to the Consultative Forum.

2.  The Agency shall invite EASO, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant organisations to participate in the Consultative Forum. On a proposal by the Executive Director, the Management Board shall decide on the composition and the modalities of the transmission of information to the Consultative Forum. The Consultative Forum shall define its working methods and set up its work programme.

3.  The Consultative Forum shall be consulted on the further development and implementation of the Fundamental Rights Strategy, Codes of Conduct and common core curricula.

3.  The Consultative Forum shall be consulted on the further development and implementation of the Fundamental Rights Strategy, on the setting-up of the complaints mechanism, Codes of Conduct and common core curricula.

3a.  The Agency shall inform the Consultative Forum whether, and if so how, it has altered its activities as a response to reports and recommendations of the Consultative Forum. The Agency shall include details of such alterations in its annual report.

4.  The Consultative Forum shall prepare an annual report of its activities. That report shall be made publicly available.

4.  The Consultative Forum shall prepare an annual report of its activities. That report shall be made publicly available.

5.  The Consultative Forum shall have access to all information concerning the respect for fundamental rights, including by carrying out on spot visits to joint operations or rapid border interventions subject to the agreement of the host Member State.

5.  The Consultative Forum shall have effective access to all information concerning the respect for fundamental rights, including by carrying out on spot visits to joint operations, rapid border interventions, hotspot areas, return operations and return interventions.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

1.  A Fundamental Rights Officer shall be designated by the Management Board and shall have the necessary qualifications and experience in the field of fundamental rights.

1.  A Fundamental Rights Officer with the task of monitoring and promoting the respect of fundamental rights within the Agency shall be designated by the Management Board and shall have the necessary qualifications and experience in the field of fundamental rights.

1a.  The Fundamental Rights Officer shall have adequate resources and staff at her or his disposal, corresponding to the mandate and the size of the Agency and shall have access to all information necessary to fulfil her or his task.

2.  The Fundamental Rights Officer shall be independent in the performance of his or her duties as a Fundamental Rights Officer, he or she shall report directly to the Management Board and cooperate with the Consultative Forum. The Fundamental Rights Officer shall report on a regular basis and as such contribute to the mechanism for monitoring fundamental rights.