Frontex to focus on implementation of new Eurosur border surveillance system in 2013
The Work Programme for Frontex for 2013, made public this week, outlines a number of issues that will imply changes to the allocation of the resources of the EU Borders Agency such as the implementation of the Eurosur system and the support to Greece for its border management.
In 2013, Frontex will use €2,24 million for the development of Eurosur, whose Regulation is scheduled to enter into force on 1 October 2013. According to Frontex, the objectives of this border surveillance system are to reduce the number of irregular migrants entering the EU undetected, to reduce the number of deaths of irregular migrants by saving more lives at sea, and to prevent cross-border crime.However, the Green Group of the European Parliament has denounced that “Eurosur has been driven forward by the Commission, certain EU member states and Frontex, with the sole purpose of shutting off EU borders. In addition to information exchange systems, it will use public funds to developing new technologies, like robots and drones to police Europe’s external borders”.
The largest part of Frontex’ budget is allocated to joint operations. In particular, joint border operations and pilot projects at land, sea and air borders will require an amount of €31,8 million. Return operations will have a budget of €10 million in 2013.
