Frontex

The Europe Conversation

Frontex chief Hans Leijtens vows to change organisation’s culture within three years

Executive Director of Frontex says he wishes Greece would comply with its international obligations when it comes to ensuring the safety of vulnerable refugees and migrants making their way to Europe often on non-seaworthy vessels.

01/05/2025

Europe in Motion

Ilegal crossings: What's become the most difficult route to the EU?

Illegal migrant crossings fell by almost a third in the first quarter of 2025, reports Frontex. Here's why the number of attempts might be decreasing.

28/04/2025

Radio Schuman

Frontex chief says fundamental rights 'core' to border-guarding

Euronews spoke with Frontex director Hans Leijten, discussing calls for the agency to suspend its mission with Greece. Is this on the cards, and what are the risks of such a move?

28/04/2025

Europe News

European Union set to reform Frontex again in 2026

New legislation set to be tabled to increase staff and resources of the agency in the long term. Last Frontex reform entered into force at the end of 2019.

25/04/2025

Europe News

Frontex investigates Greece over alleged migrant rights violations

Greece has come under increased international scrutiny and criticism from human rights groups following a migrant boat sinking in 2023 off its southern coast that killed hundreds.

08/04/2025

Europe News

Seven dead after migrant boat capsizes near Greek island of Lesbos

Greece is one of the main entry points into the EU for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with many making the short but treacherous journey from Turkey to Greek islands in inflatable dinghies.

03/04/2025

Radio Schuman

Concerns grow over Frontex's involvement in asylum seeker returns

Frontex's role in returning rejected asylum seekers should be monitored, especially in terms of the protection of fundamental rights, green MEP Tineke Strik tells Radio Schuman on Monday.

24/03/2025

Europe News

Syrian family sues Frontex over illegal pushbacks for landmark ruling

The case could reshape Frontex’s operations if the court rules that the EU's border agency failed to monitor fundamental rights compliance.

04/02/2025

Europe News

European Parliament approves new HQ for border force despite pushback

The Budget Committee greenlit the construction of a new building for €250 million, though leftist MEPs don’t agree

29/01/2025

EuroVerify

Is irregular migration to the EU really on the rise?

It’s a common claim bandied about by far-right MEPs as the immigration debate grows ever more toxic. But do the figures match the rhetoric?

09/10/2024

Europe News

Frontex chief: NGO rescue ships don't embolden Mediterranean migration

Irregular crossing of EU borders has decreased by over a third in 2024 so far.

04/09/2024

Europe News

More than 300 migrants arrive in Gran Canaria in under 24 hours

Spain's Interior Ministry says the number of migrants making the dangerous sea crossing from Africa to the Canary Islands jumped by 160% between January and July compared to the same period last year.

19/07/2024

World News

EU signs Frontex cooperation agreement with Serbia

By extending cooperation with countries in the Western Balkan region the EU hopes to tackle irregular migration more effectively.

26/06/2024

Europe News

From Frontex director to far-right MEP candidate: Fabrice Leggeri

Radio Schuman is your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news, insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from Brussels and beyond

05/06/2024

Radio Schuman

From Frontex top executive to far-right MEP candidate: Fabrice Leggeri

Radio Schuman is your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news, insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from Brussels and beyond

05/06/2024

Europe News

Frontex director to Ombudsman: 'We're not the European rescue agency'

Hans Leijtens, the executive director of Frontex, responded on Tuesday to the findings of the European Ombudsman, who found severe shortcomings in the agency's mandate, operations and relations with member states.

05/03/2024

Europe News

EU risks complicity in migrant deaths due to Frontex inaction: report

Frontex should pull out of countries that fail to rescue migrants at sea or violate fundamental rights. Otherwise, the EU risks becoming "complicit" in the deaths, the European Ombudsman has warned in a new report.

28/02/2024

Finland

Frontex to send 50 more officers to guard Finland-Russia border

Finland will close all but one of its eastern border crossings with Russia, accusing the Kremlin of waging "hybrid warfare" with a migrant crisis on the border.

23/11/2023

Greece

New video shows Greek Coast Guard's migrants pushbacks in the Aegean

A new video shared by a Norwegian-run nonprofit shows the Greek Coast Guard pushing back migrants in the Aegean Sea and letting them adrift close to Turkish waters.

16/10/2023

Europe News

Syrian refugees lose landmark case against Frontex in EU General Court

A historic case brought by a family of Syrian refugees against Frontex, the EU's border guard agency, has been dismissed by the bloc's General Court in a major blow for human rights defenders.

06/09/2023