The report from the European Commission on the operationalisation of the European Border and Coast Guard takes stock of progress made in the five main priority areas identified for swift implementation:

• Mandatory pooling of resources to enhance the European Border and Coast Guard Agency's rapid reaction capability: Since 7 December, a Rapid Reaction Pool of 1,500 border guards and other officers has been placed at the immediate disposal of the Agency to provide support on the ground for immediate interventions when requested by Member States alongside a Rapid Reaction Equipment Pool consisting of equipment such as vessels and helicopters to carry out rapid border interventions.
• Preventive vulnerability assessments: A common vulnerability assessment methodology has been adopted to annually evaluate the ability of Member States to face challenges at the external borders.
• Support for returns: Three new pools consisting of 690 return monitors, return escorts and return specialists have been available since 7 January 2017 enabling the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to support Member States in organising and coordinating return operations and cooperating with third countries on returns and readmission.
• Establishing a complaint mechanism: On 6 October 2016, a complaint mechanism was set up to monitor and ensure the respect for fundamental rights in the activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
• Model status agreement for operational cooperation with priority third countries: Under its new mandate, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency is allowed to carry out operations on the territory of neighbouring third countries, subject to prior agreement. A model status agreement was adopted by the Commission in November 2016.

The report also identifies concrete actions and next steps to be taken to ensure that a fully operational and equipped European Border and Coast Guard is in place.

The full report is available below.

For further information, please see the full press release on the website of the European Commission.