Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The meetings of the Ministers of the Interior and Justice of the European Union started this morning, which will last for two days. The discussions will focus on the first day on security issues and European internal affairs. According to what the European Commission announced in Brussels, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, will meet with the European Union’s interior ministers in Luxembourg to discuss the security situation and immigration. in the European Union. In the morning, ministers will discuss progress on key files under the new charter on asylum and migration, and more specifically on the Asylum and Migration Administration Regulation and the Asylum Procedure System. They will also exchange views on the external dimension of migration.
In the afternoon, after the presentation by the Presidency of the Council of the Counter-Terrorism Group, the ministers will exchange views on the European Union's measures aimed at combating extremism and terrorism, as well as addressing security challenges, also in light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Together with the Schengen Council Ministers, the participants will also discuss the situation of the Schengen Area on the basis of the latest Schengen Status Report 2023 and exchange views on EU visa policy. .
Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders and Equality Commissioner Helena Daly will meet on Friday with justice ministers to discuss progress in negotiations on a number of files. In the morning, in the presence of Commissioner Johansson, they will discuss the Commission's proposal to amend the directive on preventing and combating human trafficking and protecting its victims. After an exchange of views on guidance on combating violence against women and domestic violence with the participation of Commissioner Daley, it is expected that conclusions related to LGBT safety will be approved.
On the sidelines of the Council, Commissioner Reynders will have an opportunity to discuss sanctions for breaches of EU restrictive measures, in light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, as well as progress on asset recovery and forfeiture. Together with representatives of Europol and Eurojust, the ministers will also investigate and prosecute violations of EU sanctions.
  In the afternoon, the European Prosecutor General, Laura Covesi, will present a report on the work of the European Prosecutor's Office. The ministers will also exchange the judicial aspects of combating organized crime and the dossier of the European Convention on Human Rights.