Representatives of the European Parliament and the Council Presidency reached a provisional agreement on Monday to improve the network of immigration liaison officers (ILOs). More than 450 ILOs are currently deployed in more than 100 countries. Their role is to establish and maintain contacts with the authorities of the third country on migration issues, such as combating illegal migration and facilitating returns. Among other things, the new regulation will give ILOs increased power to fight migrant smuggling and will allow them to assist EU states in their border management efforts.