2008 discharge: European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders FRONTEX

PURPOSE: presentation of the final accounts of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders - Frontex for the 2008 financial year.

CONTENT: this document sets out a detailed account of the implementation of Frontex’s budget for 2008. It indicates that the Agency’s final budget amounted to EUR 71.2 million, compared to EUR 42.2 million for the previous year. This represents a EUR 68 million Community contribution.

In terms of personnel, the Agency, whose headquarters are in Warsaw (Poland) officially had 94 posts provided for in the establishment plan. 75 of these posts are currently occupied. 44 temporary agents and 66 further posts (seconded national experts) amounting to 185 effective posts assigned to operational, administrative and mixed tasks.

In 2008, the Agency focused on the following activities:

• Risk Analysishas produced assessments, quarterly reports, weekly evaluations, briefings, notes and other information papers.
• Operational Cooperation:  30 joint operations and 10 return operations were organised. Seven pilot projects were launched.
• Traininghas continued with 192 activities involving 3 200 border guards.
• Research & Developmentactivities produced reports, bulletins, studies, 48 conferences and 6 projects were initiated.
• Cooperation with Non-EU countries included the conclusion of working arrangements with Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the USA, Brazil, Croatia, Moldova, Georgia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. A cooperation Plan with the Russian Federation was signed. Cooperation with EUROPOL and other relevant organisations and the European Commission has continued and has been strengthened.

Full details of the Agency’s accounts are available from the following address: http://www.frontex.europa.eu/finance/