№79 Whose Mare? Rule of law challenges in the field of European border surveillance in the Mediterranean
№79 Whose Mare? Rule of law challenges in the field of European border surveillance in the Mediterranean

Author(s): Leonhard Den Hertog, Sergio Carrera
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Security and defense, Politics and law, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, EU-Legislation
Published by: CEPS Centre for European Policy Studies
Keywords: Rule of law challenges; European border surveillance; Mediterranean; post-Lisbon EU;
Summary/Abstract: This paper examines key developments in the field of European border surveillance in the Mediterranean. By asking,‘Whose Mare?’, we focus on rule of law challenges stemming from these developments in a post-Lisbon EU. The developments examined are the Italian Navy-led Mare Nostrum operation, the debates over European ‘exit strategies’ for this operation and the ensuing launch of the Frontex Triton joint operation (JO). The recently adopted Regulation on Frontex sea border surveillance operations is also presented as a key development to understand the rule of law challenges. Moreover, the adoption of the European Union Maritime Security Strategy (MSS) and the development of several maritime surveillance systems in the EU highlight that a wide range of actors seeks authority over this field.

• Details
• Contents