Deportation and readmission
The future of Frontex: a “comprehensive strategy” for deportations
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The future of Frontex: a “comprehensive strategy” for deportations
In the context of the expected Frontex mandate renewal, a document circulated by the Cypriot presidency in February 2026 invites delegates to discuss their thoughts on Frontex becoming more involved in deportations to, and between, non-EU countries.
Referencing the expected passage of the EU’s deportation regulation, the presidency paper (pdf) makes it clear it hopes the role of Frontex will be expanded to “match the ambition of increased and more efficient” deportations.
Most notable in this document is the assertion that member states agree that Frontex should be given a role in deportations between third countries and to ‘return hubs’:
“Stronger Frontex support in this area could help reduce migratory pressure on the EU, strengthen the capacity of third countries in key critical tasks such as identification, and make Frontex a more attractive partner for third countries that are themselves struggling with illegal transit migration”
The presidency leaves open the details of how exactly Frontex will be involved, from training and oversight to conducting deportations themselves. It also discusses the need for more deportation-trained members of the standing corps, in light of an expected increase in deportations from the EU.
It concludes by inviting delegates in the Integration, Migration and Expulsion working party to consider what they want, making particular note of the potential for Frontex operations in key transit countries.
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