EU/Serbia Agreement: operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in Serbia

The European Parliament adopted by 505 votes to 90, with 43 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Serbia.

Following the recommendation of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

The Council decision aims to approve the Status Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the territory of the Republic of Serbia, as provided for in Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard.

One of the tasks of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency is to cooperate with third countries in areas covered by the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation, "including through the possible operational deployment of border management teams in third countries".

The provisions of the agreement cover all aspects that are necessary for carrying out the actions of border management teams from the standing corps deployed to a third country where the members of the teams will exercise executive powers, in particular, the scope of the operation, provisions on civil and criminal liability, the tasks and powers of the members of the teams, measures related to the establishment of an antenna office and practical measures related to the respect of fundamental rights.