Supported by the European Commission, this Forum, which dates back to 2009, brings together national coastguard authorities from EU member states and associated Schengen countries who jointly work on issues such as multi-agency multinational operations  and capacity building among coast guard academies.

The Commission envisages closer coordination with the ECGFF and its gradual integration into the EU Agencies' framework, thereby opening the way to incorporating crucial expert advice when providing support to national coast guard authorities in their daily work.

At the end of the meeting the ECGFF Chair, under Portuguese chairmanship, was handed over to Germany.

Background information: http://www.ecgff.eu/