 Article 77 grants competence to the EU to adopt legislation on a "gradual introduction of an integrated management system for external borders," and article 79 authorizes the EU to enact legislation concerning the repatriation of third-country nationals residing illegally within the EU.On 18 December 2015, the European Council roundly supported the proposal, which was then be subjected to the ordinary legislative procedure.The Border and Coast Guard was officially launched on 6 October 2016 at the Bulgarian external border with Turkey.