EU Launches Tough Border Force To Curb Migrant Crisis
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published October 06, 2016 | 02:00 PM
KAPITAN-ANDREEVO, Bulgaria, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 06th Oct, 2016 ) - The EU's beefed-up version of its struggling border force went into operation Thursday, in a rare show of unity by the squabbling bloc trying find a common strategy to tackle its worst migration crisis since World War II.
European Union officials inaugurated the new task force at the Kapitan-Andreevo checkpoint on the Bulgarian-Turkish border, the main land frontier via which migrants try to enter the bloc to avoid the dangerous Mediterranean sea crossing.
The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (EBCG) will have at the ready some 1,500 officers from 19 member states who can be swiftly mobilised in case of emergency such as a sudden rush of migrants.
Brussels hopes the revamped agency will not just increase security, but also help heal the huge rifts that have emerged between western and eastern member states clashing over the EU's refugee policies.
The long-term goal is to lift the border controls inside the bloc and restore the passport-free Schengen Zone. "The new agency is stronger and better equipped to tackle migration and security challenges," EBCG director Fabrice Leggeri said in a statement.
Crucially, the force will conduct "stress tests at the external borders to identify vulnerabilities before a crisis hits", he added. EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos hailed the inauguration as a "milestone" of "shared responsibility and solidarity".
"From now onwards, the external EU border of one member state is the external border of all member states -- both legally and operationally," he said in a statement.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
UAF to ink MoU with Ethiopian universities
Scouts playing exemplary role in serving humanity: Dr Iqrar
Punjab Police cricket honored with shields, medals & CCI certificates
Bugti issues directives to operate circular road parking plaza
PML-N to become more strong under Nawaz Sharif: Rana Sanaullah
300 raids conducted on hideous of drug-dealers
IP rights crucial in achieving SDG : Jam Kamal
Commissioner urges effective action against electricity theft
PAK-EPA's clean lab boosts environmental analysis capabilities with advanced ICP ..
Romania court opens way for start of influencer Tate's trial
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delegation visits WSSCA
13 outlets sealed for violating Hepatitis preventive SOPs
More Stories From World
-
Romania court opens way for start of influencer Tate's trial
19 minutes ago -
Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70
19 minutes ago -
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
19 minutes ago -
Russia targets Ukraine railways as Western aid due to arrive
52 minutes ago -
Miner Anglo American rejects BHP's near $39-billion takeover bid
1 hour ago -
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
1 hour ago
-
Junta-led Burkina Faso suspends BBC, Voice of America for two weeks
1 hour ago -
Saudi to host top Arab, EU diplomats for Gaza talks: officials
1 hour ago -
Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70: govt
59 minutes ago -
US Fed's favored inflation measure accelerates in March
2 hours ago -
Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70: govt
2 hours ago -
Russia striking Ukraine railways to 'paralyse' army cargo: Ukraine source
2 hours ago