The Mixed Committee was briefed about the state of play regarding this proposal. In particular, it was informed that the Council and the European Parliament have reached a common understanding on this draft Regulation. Once the European Parliament had voted its opinion, the Regulation would be adopted as soon as possible with a view to having the teams operational by summer 2007.
When operational, the Rapid Border Intervention Teams will be sent to Member States to provide rapid operational assistance, for a limited period of time, to a requesting Member State facing a situation of urgent and exceptional pressure, especially the arrival at points of the external borders of large numbers of third country nationals trying to enter illegally into the territory of a Member State. The Regulation will also set out the powers and tasks which can be performed by Member States' border guards participating in joint operations and pilot projects.
The Commission also informed the Mixed Committee on the progress in relation to the centralised register of technical equipment ("toolbox"), as well as developments regarding the European Patrols Network and the European Surveillance System.