Dear Prime Minister,
Dear Minister,
Dear Executive Director,
Dear Chairman of the Management Board,
Dear colleagues working in the European Border and Coast Guard
Dear distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for the invitation to the ceremony marking the entry into force of the Headquarters Agreement: the European Border and Coast Guard has now definitively a home, here in Warsaw, from where it coordinates and plans the actions to protect every part of our common external borders around Europe.
I am confident that having a stable legal and administrative framework in the form of a Headquarters Agreement will contribute to ensuring an even greater efficiency in the delivery of the important tasks of the Agency.
In this context, I am looking forward to the smooth implementation of this Agreement between Poland and the Agency which will provide for the best possible conditions for its proper functioning.
Dear friends, back in 2006, Frontex had 26 staff members.
Today, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency has at its disposal manpower of nearly 600 staff.
By 2020, the Agency will reach the size of 1000 staff members largely based here, at the Warsaw headquarters.
This means that a thousand people will be calling Warsaw home for a period in their lives, for themselves and for their families.
This is why, in particular, the issue of European schooling in Warsaw requires careful attention of the Polish Government.
The availability of such educational opportunities will be one of the key elements for making the Agency an attractive workplace.
At the same time, the expansion of the Agency as well an increasing number of events organised and attracting a lot of visitors, will make an important contribution to Warsaw’s economy and prosperity.
But the economic figures are less important than the symbolism of what we celebrate today.
One of the key symbols of European solidarity in practice today is set in the country where Solidarność was born.
The Agency, composed by staff coming from all Member States to protect Europe’s borders, is set in the historical capital of a country that many times had to defend and fight about borders.
Warsaw hosts the symbol of a Europe that is stronger united, a Europe that collectively prevents and responds to crises, a Europe that helps the ones in need but ensures a high level of protection for its people.
The European Border and Coast Guard marked the completion of one of the pillars of our European Migration Policy, which is based both on responsibility and solidarity.
Because the migration and security challenges today clearly taught us one thing: we need common European answers to effectively address these common challenges.
Europe is about solidarity among its Member States, among its people and towards the ones in need.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Agency’s management and staff for their tireless efforts and dedication to the full operationalisation of their new tasks.
I am addressing all you present here, but I don’t forget your colleagues fulfilling their duties in different parts of Europe, taking part in operations to save lives and protect borders, supporting their colleagues of the national border and coast guards.
I count on each and every one of you to continue with the same enthusiasm and commitment.
Because, while the EU is gradually emerging from the migration crisis, unrest in the neighbouring countries remains.
Safeguarding the integrity of the Schengen area and the effectiveness of EU border security and an efficient return policy are more important than ever, And the Agency is playing a vital role in this context.
To meet the challenges ahead, it is crucial that the EBCGA gets the support it needs to keep growing: personnel, budget, and active cooperation from all the Member States, including Poland hosting its headquarter.
The Agency has come a long way this year:
setting up of the new rapid reaction pools,
the completion of the first cycle of vulnerability assessments,
continue support to the frontline Member States with 1500 officers deployed daily on average.
Dear all,
I am proud every time I mention the European Border and Coast Guard, whenever I refer to all of you here and to your work, as one of the cornerstones of our policy.
I remain personally committed to support you and work with you very closely.
Thank you.