ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the so-called Atlantic (or West African) route, which has been used on several occasions by migrants to reach the Canary Islands, part of the territory of the European Union. This is an extremely dangerous route that gave rise to an emergency, in the periods 2005–2006 and 2020–2022, also due to the shortcomings of the Spanish authorities in managing a significant number of arrivals in a limited period. In the past, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (the so-called new FRONTEX) collaborated with Spain to control incoming migratory flows. This collaboration has intensified due to the new competencies and powers attributed to the Agency by regulation 2019/1896. In this context, negotiations are ongoing to conclude agreements with Senegal and Mauritania, to limit migratory flows through the Atlantic route. These negotiations are based on the model agreement between the European Union and third countries to allow the new FRONTEX to carry out operational activities in the non-EU territory. Specific attention is paid to this model agreement and its provisions relating to protecting fundamental rights during the Agency’s operational activities.
