FRONTEX – 2018 in brief

8 2018 IN BRIEF Operational response Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, maintains a strong presence at Europe’s ex- ternal borders, helping EU Member States to deal with migratory pres- sure and combatting cross-border crime. On average, some 1500 border guards are deployed in our joint op- erations, along with vessels, planes, helicopters, patrol cars and other equipment. Frontex is running three perma- nent operations in Greece, Italy and Spain, where migratory pressure has been the highest in recent years. The Agency also conducts numer- ous other operations at Europe’s sea, land and air borders to keep it safe and secure. In February, Frontex launched a new operation in the Central Mediterranean to assist Italy at its sea borders. The new Joint Operation Themis replaced Operation Triton, which was launched in 2014. Operation Themis continues to include search and rescue as a crucial component. At the same time, the new operation has an enhanced law enforcement focus. Its operational area spans the Central Mediterranean Sea covering flows from Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Turkey and Albania. The security component of Operation Themis includes collection of intelligence and other steps aimed at detecting terrorist threats at the external borders. FRONTEX L AUNCHING NEW OPERATION IN THE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN