European Union states and the European Parliament on Thursday provisionally agreed on a new EU border and coast guard law drafted and piloted by Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola.

The ‘Metsola law’ will see 10,000 additional new border and coast guards and operational staff deployed at Europe’s borders in an effort to address migration and cross border crime challenges.

The ‘Metsola law’ will see 10,000 additional new border and coast guards at Europe’s borders.The ‘Metsola law’ will see 10,000 additional new border and coast guards at Europe’s borders.

It will see the process of return of those deemed not eligible for protection in Europe made more efficient and increase cooperation with third countries, with full guarantees for fundamental rights. The new law allows for all the necessary tools to be used at external borders to fight cross-border crime.

Commenting on the law, Dr Metsola said she was delighted that a provisional agreement on the law was reached as it would address one of the major concerns of EU citizens.

The European border and coast guard law would overhaul Europe's border management. It would mean an additional 10,000 border and coast guards for Europe, more efficient returns, more tools to fight crime and will serve to allay security and crime concerns and aid in our migration strategy, Dr Metsola said.

"Europe's citizens were looking to us to deliver and we have, in record time. This is a huge win for Europe and a huge win for Malta and Gozo," she said.

A final vote on the law will take place in April.

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