Ministry of Immigration and Integration: Denmark is strengthening its presence in the Mediterranean to curb asylum and migration.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Immigration and Integration a short while ago on February 6, the Danish government has a strong desire to continue to contribute effectively to strengthening Europe’s external borders through the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex.

The statement indicated that despite the change in the security policy situation, the government decided that in addition to the contribution of Danish personnel to Frontex, Denmark must also maintain an active capacity to contribute to Frontex. Therefore, the government submitted its plan for contributions from the Danish Armed Forces to Frontex for 2023 and 2024, which is as follows:

• The contribution of patrol boats to defense and police in Greece has been extended until the end of January 2025, with the deployment of two new patrol vessels to replace existing ones.
• A vehicle equipped with thermal monitoring technology for up to approximately 6 months.
• A helicopter for up to about 6 months.
• Contributing to surveillance flights for up to approximately 60 days.

Danish ministers' comments on strengthening Denmark's contribution to Frontex

According to the statement, he commented Minister of Migration and Integration Kar Deppvad Bec He said: “There is significant migration pressure on Europe and we must take it very seriously. Last year, the number of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in the EU was the highest since the 2015-2016 crisis. This is very worrying. Therefore, it is very important that EU member states work together to control the external borders. Frontex plays a crucial role, supported by Denmark, and the Danish contribution should help to support the control of the external borders and reduce the number of illegal immigrants crossing the borders illegally to reach the EU.”.

But Defense Minister Jakob Elleman Jensen He commented, according to the statement: “A stronger Europe is needed in an uncertain world. The challenges facing Denmark and Europe require strong and committed cooperation, and the armed forces contribute significantly to the important effort of managing migration at the EU’s external borders. We do this by supporting the police surveillance mission with capabilities (equipment) and personnel, while the armed forces also carry out their other duties.”.

According to the statement, he also commented Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen He commented on this step, saying: “We are facing an absolutely extraordinary situation in Europe. We have to deal with the increasing security policy situation and the growing influx of refugees and illegal immigrants. It is a shared European responsibility that Denmark must contribute to supporting. We do this through our continued ambitious contribution to Frontex operations, which are absolutely essential to securing the EU’s external borders.”.

And it was Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard The statement also included the following: “The security of Europe and Denmark must be given priority, and effective control of Europe’s external borders is crucial in combating cross-border crime, illegal immigration, and other issues. Therefore, we must continue to ensure the presence of Danish police to monitor the borders in the Mediterranean.”.

The statement notes that Denmark's contribution to Frontex is part of the government's ambition to reform the European asylum system so that more refugees are assisted either in neighboring regions or through a quota system, with the aim of reducing refugees' exposure to violence, abuse, or loss of life, and combating human traffickers, according to the statement..

facts and information Related

• Capacity contributions to Frontex are primarily voluntary and based on Frontex's anticipated operational needs. Contributions to Frontex must be reported no later than January 31 of the year preceding the contribution. The Foreign Policy Council is notified of the contribution before formal registration.
• The two new patrol vessels were purchased with 90% of EU co-financing from the Financial Support to Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI).
• As of 2021, Member States are committed to contributing human resources (personnel) in the form of long-term (two years) and short-term (1-4 months) appointments to the new permanent body of Frontex, which should have up to 10,000 members by 2027.
• Denmark’s contribution in personnel will mainly come from sending 15 long-term and 82 short-term scholarships in 2024.
• The sources of Danish assignments to Frontex are the Danish National Police, the Danish Armed Forces, and the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.
  Source: Statement from the Ministry of Foreigners and Integration