The European Border and Coast Guard Agency(Frontex), the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) took a significant step and have signed a Tripartite Working Arrangement to structure their cooperation on coast guard functions.
The agreement sets out the framework for the close cooperation between the European agencies which will enable them to support in an effective and cost-efficient way the activities of more than 300 civilian and military authorities in the EU member states. All these authorities carry out coastguard functions in such areas: maritime safety, security, search and rescue, border control, fisheries control, customs control, general law enforcement and environmental protection.
United with their mandates Frontex, EFCA and EMSA will cooperate in sharing maritime information, providing new surveillance and communication services, building capacity, analyzing operational challenges and emerging risks in the maritime domain as well as planning and implementing multipurpose operations, the parties claimed in their statement.
The expected results will lead to the provision of services to MS coastguard authorities, improving their overall awareness of the maritime domain and supporting their functions in areas as search and rescue operations, surveillance activities, law enforcement, fisheries control and compliance with maritime regulations.
To improve the capacity of the national coast guard authorities, these agencies plan to develop guidelines, recommendations and best practice on coastguard functions and organize specialized training events.
Emi Tiram
