On 31 August 2018, Frontex deployed its first liaison officer to Bulgaria. She is the first of eleven liaison officers to be deployed to an EU Member State, with the aim of enhancing cooperation between the agency and the national authorities responsible for border management, returns, and coast guard functions. The liaison officers shall contribute to risk analysis and monitor/report on measures taken by the respective Member States at their border sections, including situations requiring urgent action at the external borders. Furthermore, they shall assist the Member States in preparing contingency plans for border management and report on the situation at the external borders. They will also help analyse the capacity of Member States to deal effectively with the situation on-site and with the execution of return and pre-return activities. Lastly, they will be instrumental in collecting information on irregular migration and cross-border crime and play a crucial role in vulnerability assessments conducted by Frontex.