(VOVworld) - A new European border and coast guard force (EBCG) has been officially launched at a checkpoint on the European Union's external border with Turkey in Bulgaria.

A new checkpoint on the Bulgarian Turkish border will be in place to curb refugees entering the European mainland (illustrative photo: worldbulletin.net)

The new task force, launched at the Kapitan Andreevo crossing on Thursday, was developed from the border management agency Frontex because national coast guards were overwhelmed by the refugee emergency. The service will have more than double Frontex's staff and new powers.
EU countries will establish a pool of 1,500 guards and technical equipment to rapidly deploy to countries battling heavy migration flows.