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This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by Belga.

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex will assist Belgium.

by AI | 03.May 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The Belgian parliament has agreed that officers from the European border agency Frontex can be deployed on Belgian territory to assist the federal police with border controls.

A Frontex border guard at the port of the Greek island of Samos (Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa)

Brussels – Specifically, up to 100 Frontex agents could be deployed at airports, seaports, the Brussels South train station, and the Eurostar tunnel. Additionally, the text establishes the legal basis to deploy Frontex staff as escorts to accompany foreigners who are deported and must return forcibly.

The European border agency has been controversial in the past for allegedly facilitating illegal ‘pushbacks’ in the Mediterranean Sea. For this reason, there were also several abstentions from government parties PS and Ecolo.

Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden emphasizes that the deployment of Frontex on Belgian territory will be linked to strict conditions. The agency will have to operate under the supervision of the federal police and must adhere to the same rules regarding the use of firearms or coercion as the police.