EU/Albania status agreement on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in Albania

PURPOSE: to approve the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement on the status of the EU/Albania with regard to the actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in Albania.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2019/267 on the conclusion of the Status Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Albania.

CONTENT: the Council approved, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement on the status between the European Union and Albania concerning the activities of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the territory of Albania.

The agreement was signed on 5 October 2018, subject to its conclusion. Under the agreement, European Border and Coast Guard teams can be swiftly deployed on Albanian territory and respond to the current shift in migratory flows towards the coastal route and assist in external border management and fight against migrant smuggling.

The agreement covers all aspects that are necessary for carrying out the actions of the Agency in Albania in which the members of its team have executive powers, including:

- the approval of an operational plan by the Member State or Member States bordering the operational area, agreed between the Agency and Albania for each joint operation or rapid border intervention;

- the tasks and competences of the team members: they will have the authority to carry out all tasks and exercise all executive competences for border control and return operations in accordance with Albania's laws and regulations;

- the possibility for the Executive Director and Albania to suspend or terminate the action if the provisions of the agreement or operational plan are not respected.

All actions carried out by the Agency on the territory of Albania must fully respect the fundamental rights and international instruments to which Albania is a party.

The decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis. It therefore does not apply to the United Kingdom and Ireland. Denmark will decide within six months of the Council decision whether it will implement it in its national law.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 12.2.2019.