European Union defines agencies as bodies distinct from other european institutions, which are separate legal entities set up to perform specific tasks under european law. A certain part of authority has been transferred to them, either directly by member states or indirectly by European Commission. They are established to simplify operational procedures, ensure cost efficiency, bring activities closer to end users and improve recognition of the European Union's operations. European Union agencies are heterogeneous in their competences, structure and functions, as no uniform rules for their establishment exists. They are often perceived as political actors with a lot of autonomy, but not really responsible to anyone. In my master's thesis my main focous of research was how the concepts of autonomy and responsibility are related in the case of European Union agencies. The object of my research was European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders – Frontex. I was interested how the system of responsibility of this european agency was formed and what degree of autonomy it has. The analysis led me to conclude that the Frontex's system of formal responsibility was not designed inappropriately. Also the agency's autonomy is not at a very low level. It could be claimed that Frontex has a relatively high level of responsibility that has a positive impact on the agency's autonomy.
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