As the Commission and the Parliament begin their mandates, progressive home affairs ministers gathered in Brussels ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting to discuss and outline the priorities of the home affairs agenda.
Ministers exchanged views on key items on today’s Council agenda and warmly welcomed the approval of Bulgaria and Romania’s full accession to Schengen.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spanish Minister for Home Affairs, and Chair of the meeting, said:
‘‘It is with great pleasure that we welcome both Romania and Bulgaria as full members to the Schengen area.
‘‘Schengen is our common achievement. It is at the heart of what the EU stands for and embodies the success of European integration.
We must continue to protect the Schengen area and strengthen cooperation between Member States.
The full accession of both Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area has long been a political priority of our political family – and it was included in the PES campaign manifesto.
We are delighted to see that it has become a reality. This decision will benefit Bulgaria and Romania, but also the EU as a whole.’’
The meeting also looked ahead to the future of the Schengen area concerning the digitalisation of procedures to increase security and efficiency at the EU’s external borders. Though ministers made clear that whatever measures are taken, it cannot be at the expense of fundamental rights.
Afterwards, ministers agreed that we must prioritise the effective implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. When accelerating the application of certain aspects within the Pact, it is of utmost importance to maintain the balance between solidarity and responsibility. In addition to this, ministers raised that a common EU Return system should be part of a comprehensive approach on migration. Emphasising that the policy of non-refoulment must be respected.
The fight against child sex abuse was also discussed, ministers agreed that the Regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse must not lose momentum.
Participants list:
Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Minister for Home Affairs, Spain
Elma Saiz Delgado, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Spain
Kaare Dybvad, Minister for Immigration and Integration, Denmark
Nancy Faeser, Federal Minister for the Interior and Community, Germany
Byron Camilleri, Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Malta
Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES
