Off the wire
• Iran helps Iraq to restore security: speaker  • Urgent: At least 15 killed, 30 wounded in suicide bombing at wedding near Iraq's Fallujah  • General elections chance for Macedonia to end crisis: EU official  • China's online court record database now world largest: official  • Greece commemorates uprising anniversary under tight security measures  • AU to facilitate peaceful Somalia political transition: envoy  • Iran dismisses "unfounded" allegations by some Arab states  • British FTSE 100 rises 0.67 pct on Thursday  • Albania, EU launch joint project against corruption  • Roundup: CySEC refuses comment on supervision of IronFX investment firm  
You are here: 　 Home

Sweden extends life-rescue mission in the Mediterranean

Xinhua, November 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Swedish government decided Thursday to extend the European Union's access to the Swedish Coast Guard's vessels, boats, airplanes, and personnel.

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, is able to use the Swedish Coast Guard's resources in order to fulfill its mission to control the European Union's external borders and to save lives, the Swedish government said in a statement published on its website Thursday.

The current deal was supposed to expire in April 2017, but has now been extended for another year.

"The Coast Guard's rescue missions have so far contributed to saving more than 10,000 lives. Sweden will continue to take great responsibility for the situation in the Mediterranean," said Swedish interior minister Anders Ygeman.

The new decision means that the Swedish Coast Guard will be able to participate in Frontex's operations until April 30, 2018. Endit