PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Albania.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Border and Coast Guard, in circumstances requiring the deployment of border management teams from the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps to a third country where the members of the teams will exercise executive powers, a status agreement is to be concluded by the Union with the third country concerned on the basis of Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
CONTENT: the draft Council Decision aims to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on the operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Albania.
A status agreement will allow for the deployment in the Republic of Albania of European Border and Coast Guard teams by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, using all the possibilities offered by Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard.
The agreement governs all aspects necessary for the deployment of border management teams from the European Border and Coast Guard standing corps to a third country where the members of the teams will exercise executive powers. Deployment may take place on Albanian territory, including at its land, sea and air borders with other countries. Operational activities may also take place in the Albanian contiguous zone.
The envisaged agreement will contain practical measures related to the respect of fundamental rights and will ensure that fundamental rights are fully respected during activities organised on the basis of the agreement.
Ireland is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application. Denmark will decide within a period of six months after the Council has decided on this Decision whether it will implement it in its national law.