The European Parliament has agreed to set up a new border and coast guard agency to help countries cope with unusually high levels of migration. The force of 1,500 guards will be able to deploy even if a member state does not ask for its help. The European Commission said it would work as a 'safety net'. National border guards in EU member states will be supported by the new European Border and Coast Guard ‘in exceptional situations’, according to the European Commission. Plans for the new agency faced criticism from some EU governments for allowing intervention even if member states did not request help in managing their borders. Under the approved proposal, the EU Commission would propose an intervention and the European Council would make the decision. A statement said, 'There should no longer be shortages of staff or equipment for operations at our external borders'.