Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

The meetings of the interior and justice ministers of the European Union countries, which began yesterday, Thursday, at the level of interior ministers, continue today at the level of justice ministers. According to a European statement issued in Brussels, the ministers' discussions today in Luxembourg will address a number of files, including:
Combating racism
The justice ministers will exchange views on the implementation of the Commission's action plan to combat racism. The plan was adopted in 2020 and provides for a series of measures to intensify work to address racism more effectively in the European Union.
The Hungarian rotating presidency of the Union will inform the ministers of its activities in combating drug trafficking and organized crime.
The statement added: "Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the Council has supported coordination and cooperation between Member States and international actors to ensure that perpetrators of war crimes do not remain unpunished. Ministers will be informed of the latest developments.
The topic of the working lunch of the Ministers of Justice will be access to justice in the context of the rule of law and competitiveness.

Home Affairs
Yesterday's discussions by the Ministers of Interior were followed by a European statement on the most important issues that the Ministers addressed:

Combating child sexual abuse online
The Hungarian Presidency of the Union informed the Ministers on the current status of a proposed EU law that would make it mandatory for internet companies to detect and report child sexual abuse material on their platforms to the authorities. The planned EU Centre is to support the authorities in acting on reports of child sexual abuse and to collect and exchange experiences and best practices in terms of prevention and support for victims.

The draft law was proposed in May 2022 and has since been discussed in detail in expert meetings in the Council.

"The presidential compromise currently on the Council table would strike the right balance between protecting our children and protecting the privacy of Our citizens. According to the statement, Sándor Pinter, Minister of Internal Affairs of Hungary, added: “The fight against child sexual abuse is a priority for our Presidency. The draft law on the table could be a radical change in the fight against this terrible crime. We will not back down from bringing this proposal to the finish line.

Schengen Area
The Ministers discussed the state of the Schengen Area and exchanged views on the implementation of the priorities of the annual Schengen Council session. The Ministers focused on increasing the flexibility of the EU’s external borders, in particular on strengthening the quality of border controls and improving cooperation with third countries. Several delegations raised the importance of providing sufficient resources for the protection of the external borders and ensuring the comprehensive use of the EU’s information systems. The Ministers also stressed the role of Frontex in supporting the Member States and third countries with which it has signed agreements.
The Presidency also presented a report on the status of the full implementation of the Schengen acquis in Bulgaria and Romania. On 30 December 2023, the Council decided to lift air and sea border controls with Bulgaria and Romania. The date for lifting controls at the internal land borders with Bulgaria and Romania will require a further decision by the Council. Bulgaria and Romania presented the measures they have implemented since the Council’s decision in December to protect their external borders and combat irregular migration. “Strengthening the security of our external borders is of utmost importance to the Hungarian Presidency. We remain committed to ensuring the full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen Area as soon as possible,” said Sándor Pinter, Minister of the Interior of Hungary.

Compatibility of EU law enforcement IT systems

The Presidency and the Commission briefed ministers on the status of the rollout of the Entry-Exit System (EES) – the automated IT system for registering non-EU citizens travelling to the EU for a short stay. Under the new system, border officers will scan fingerprints or take a photo of those crossing the border for the first time. This information will be recorded in a digital file. Ministers were briefed on the status of the rollout.

To ensure a smooth transition, the Commission has outlined plans to roll out the Entry-Exit System in phases. Details of this approach will be determined in the coming weeks.

The Entry-Exit System is part of a wider set of IT systems for crime control and border security that the EU is due to roll out in the next few years. The ETIAS travel authorisation system – a system that will check security, migration and health risks that Imposed by non-EU citizens who do not require a visa to enter the Schengen Area - work in the first half of 2025.
Combating drug trafficking and organized crime
The Presidency reported on the status of its ten priorities in the field of combating drug trafficking and organized crime. It highlighted some measures related to the European Ports Alliance, the follow-up mapping of the most threatening criminal networks, facilitating financial and digital investigations, and strengthening cooperation with third countries, including against synthetic drug threats.
On the issue of synthetic drug threats, the Presidency noted the contribution of the EU and its Member States to the Global Alliance to Counter the Threats of Synthetic Drugs (launched on 7 July 2023 at the initiative of the United States). At the EU-US Drug Dialogue, held on 19 September 2024, the EU and the United States agreed to further cooperate and exchange information on the various measures taken by both sides

. The Presidency also engages with Member States in discussions on the EU’s preparedness to deal with synthetic drug threats.

Asylum and migration
The return of irregular migrants and rejected asylum seekers was the topic of the Ministerial Working Lunch. In particular, Ministers discussed the use of various approaches to increase the efficiency of the EU return system and the supporting role played by Frontex in this regard. They tasked experts to start exploring innovative ideas on return. Ministers also agreed on the need to start working towards possible solutions at EU level for the effective return of criminals and persons posing a security threat and coming from sensitive third countries.

Internal security
Since the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the attack on Hamas on 7 October, Interior Ministers have held regular discussions on the implications of these conflicts for the EU’s internal security.

Continuing this practice and based on an overview of the current threat landscape, Ministers exchanged views on the potential consequences of these conflicts for the EU, such as migration pressures and further polarisation in our societies.

Ministers agreed on the need to continue implementing appropriate mitigation measures to address the potential implications for internal security.
Conclusions on combating cross-border environmental crime
The Council adopted conclusions on combating cross-border environmental crime, recognising it as one of the most profitable activities for organised crime. These crimes cause significant environmental and economic damage, particularly in waste management, and are often linked to corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing. The Council urged Member States, the European Commission, Europol, Eurojust, EnviCrimeNet, Cepol and the Jaguar Network to intensify cooperation, detect criminal activities, dismantle these networks, seize assets and strengthen partnerships with non-EU countries.
Council conclusions on combating cross-border environmental crime, 10 October 2024
Other work
The Commission informed Ministers on the ongoing implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Germany addressed the implementation of the Digital Services Act and its obligation to report illegal content.
The Swedish delegation drew attention to the growing concern about the recruitment of minors and young people into crime via online platforms, and Lithuania provided information on a regional civil protection forum held in Vilnius on 6 September. Finally, the Hungarian Presidency informed the ministers about the EU-Western Balkans Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Forum to be held in Montenegro on 28-29 October.