On 21 January 2025, the European Parliament approved an agreement allowing the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to conduct joint operations in Serbia. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation on border management and combat irregular immigration.
Serbia is a candidate country for EU accession and shares a border with several Member States. In the face of migratory flows in the Western Balkans, the EU and Serbia negotiated a framework agreement to allow Frontex to deploy border guards and technical equipment on Serbian territory. The agreement had already been signed by the Council of the EU, but required the approval of the European Parliament to enter into force.
By a vote in plenary session, Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement. Concretely, this authorises Frontex to:
The agreement respects fundamental rights and provides for a complaints mechanism in case of violations. Operations will be conducted in coordination with Serbian authorities and under their responsibility.
The text was adopted by 505 votes in favour, 90 against and 43 abstentions. The majority of political groups (EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA) supported the agreement, while MEPs from the radical left and far right expressed reservations about respect for migrants' rights and Serbian sovereignty.
For European citizens, this agreement contributes to better management of the EU's external borders, reducing irregular crossings and enhancing security. It also enables closer cooperation with a neighbouring country, which can facilitate legitimate travel and combat cross-border crime. Serbian citizens, for their part, will see an increased Frontex presence at their borders, which can improve the efficiency of checks while ensuring compliance with European standards.
Approximate match via declared fields of interest. This does not prove influence on this vote.
