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

The European Parliament adopted by 565 votes to 83, with 14 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The European Parliament gave it consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

The proposed Council Decision aims to approve the status agreement between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina as foreseen in the 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 relation to the areas covered by the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation ‘including through the possible operational deployment of border management teams in third countries’. The Agency may cooperate with the authorities of third countries competent in matters covered by the Regulation to the extent required for the fulfilment of its tasks and may carry out actions related to European integrated border management on the territory of a third country subject to the agreement of that third country.

A status agreement covers all aspects that are necessary for carrying out the actions of the Agency in third countries. The proposed status agreement conforms to the model status agreement as provided for in the Commission's communication on the content and provisions to be included in the final agreement.

Structured and sustained cooperation with third countries, especially Western Balkans, is an integral part of Europe´s stability and security space. Therefore, strengthening migration and border management cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina is strategically important to ease the pressure on Croatian borders neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina and thus prevent irregular crossings at the EU external borders as well as tackle cross-border crime.