On Friday, the Council of Ministers, upon the recommendation of Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, approved a royal decree allowing he European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex to operate on Belgian soil.
This enables Frontex to assist Belgian authorities in controlling the external borders of the Schengen area, such as at Zaventem Airport. It will also facilitate the deportation individuals living irregularly, all within the framework of EU commitments and national legislation, according to Quintin’s office.
In spring 2024, right before the elections, the Vivaldi majority passed the Frontex Law, allowing the federal government to make use of the European agency; nearly a year later, Belgium is implementing this legislation.
Bernard Quintin emphasised that this decision aligns with the government’s agreement to strengthen internal security and combat irregular immigration by returning individuals ordered to leave the country.
A French member of European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex patrol. Credit: AFP / Belga
The initial proposal by Quintin’s predecessor, Annelies Verlinden, underwent modifications following advice from the Council of State. Frontex’s involvement will only occur in the presence and under the authority of Belgian police, and its actions will be monitored by the P Committee, the permanent oversight body for police services.
At the time, the text faced significant criticism from several organisations, including the Coordination and Initiatives for Refugees and Foreigners (Ciré). Within the previous majority, two PS deputies and four from Ecolo-Groen abstained from voting.
