EU to strengthen Frontex agency

The EU wants give more powers to its border control agency Frontex to fight illegal immigration, outgoing EU justice commissioner Jacques Barrot said yesterday.

"We are revising Frontex's framework. We have launched consultations to provide more means to Frontex so that is is more effective and can better organise repatriation flights," he told a news conference at a meeting of EU interior ministers in Toledo.

Mr Barrot was reacting to a joint letter sent by France and Greece to Spain, the holder of the rotating presidency of the EU, calling for beefed up powers for Frontex.

It urged closer collaboration between Frontex, countries of origin and transit countries as well as regular charter return flights paid for by Frontex.

The letter was signed by Greek Citizens Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoides and French Immigration Minister Eric Besson.

Operational since October 2005, Frontex has been tasked with patrolling 42,000 kilometres of the EU's sea borders and 8,800 kilometres of land frontier.

Based in Warsaw, it has gradually increased its powers since it was set up. In 2007 Frontex launched its own network of sea patrols.