During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (15-18 April 2019), MEPs debate on the European Border and Coast Guard. Extracts from the debate and the vote on Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT) report. Illustrative shots of Coast Guards in action and registering of migrants.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

vote

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

COELHO, Carlos (EPP, PT)

SIPPEL, Birgit (S&D, DE)

WIKSTRÖM, Cecilia (ALDE, SE)

KELLER, Ska (Greens/EFA, DE)

AVRAMOPOULOS, Dimitris (EL, EC)

surveillance of the external borders of the EU (T)

European Border and Coast Guard: extracts from the debate and the vote, and illustrative shots

SOUNDBITE (Maltese), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Rapporteur, This law is not the only solution we need in this sector but it is essential so that we can work with others. If we have a similar crisis that we had in 2015, the member states that are on the external borders like Malta, they could have extra personnel for a rapid intervention at the border and the help that they would need to face the situation.

SOUNDBITE (Maltese), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Rapporteur, The regulation that we have negotiated over the last months is not only about these 10.000 people. It means also that we can increase the effectivity of the return of people that are not eligible for asylum.

SOUNDBITE (Maltese), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Rapporteur, I am particularly proud that we have managed to create a new role for the agency, to defend the fundamental rights, so that the rights of every person will be respected. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Of course, the competent authorities of the host member state will remain responsible for and have command and control of the European Border Coast Guard's activities taking place on its territory. While remaining under the authority of the host member state, some of the tasks will include: The possibility to check identity documents, to authorize or refuse entry at border crossing points, to stamp travel documents, to patrol borders and stop persons who have crossed the borders irregularly and to assist in the implementation of return procedures.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Carlos COELHO (EPP, PT), This should not enable member states to shuck their responsibilities. Half of the 10,000 guards will be coming from member states. Are member states ready to meet their obligations? Will Portugal, my country, be ready in 2021 to send 110 inspectors from its Foreigners and Border Service? I fear that once again, we may be promising at the European level, something which the member states will fail to make possible.

SOUNDBITE (German), Birgit SIPPEL, When will there be harmonized rules for legal migration? Because only this will enable us to deal with the challenge on our borders sustainably and according to our common values. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia WIKSTR&#214;M, The report we are adopting today does not go towards a fully federalised competence. In my view, that is the way forward, but this is a very important step in the very right direction.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE), In the long term we do need to have a civil sea rescue in the Mediterranean, organized at European level, because member states are not willing to act. But we can not wait until then, we have to use the means available. Otherwise we are letting the values of Europe drown together with the people in the Mediterranean.

<p>Chair opens the vote on the METSOLA report on the European Border and Coast Guard. Extracts from the vote. The report is adopted and the first reading of the EP is completed. </p>  <p>Cutaway on rapporteur Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT) voting. </p>

Illustrative shots of boats of the Spanish Coast Guard at the port, day time.

Illustrative shots of the Maritime Police at sea.

Illustrative shots of Maritime Police approaching a boat of refugees at sea.

Illustrative shot of boats of the Spanish Coast Guard at the port, night time.

Illustrative shots of Spanish Red Cross staff registering a group of migrants that have just been rescued from the sea.