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Agenda of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council, 19-20 October 2023

19 October 2023 - 20 October 2023

Home affairs (19 October 2023)

Asylum and migration

The presidency will inform ministers about the progress in its negotiations with the European Parliament to reach an agreement on the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Following the 2015 migration crisis, the Commission made proposals for a number of draft EU laws to reform the common European asylum system. Once adopted, these various EU laws currently under negotiation between the Council and the EP will result in a common framework dealing with all aspects of asylum and migration management. It will provide support for the most affected member states, offer a better framework for registering and handling asylum requests, set minimum standards for the treatment of all asylum seekers and reduce secondary movements.

Ministers will also discuss the external dimension of migration. This concerns EU policies to face the migratory challenges the EU shares with other continents and countries.

EU migration and asylum policy (background information)

EU asylum rules (background information)

 

Infographic – Migration flows: Eastern, Central and Western routes

See full infographic

 

Civil protection

The presidency will also update ministers about the state of play as regards a draft law that will enable the Commission – in the context of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism – to continue providing financial support for equipment to fight forest fires.

EU civil protection (background information)

 

Schengen area

When it comes to Schengen, the European free travel area, ministers will turn to the overall state of the Schengen area and – in the light of the Schengen Barometer – agree actions as part of a comprehensive response to better fight cross-border crime, especially migrant smuggling.

For these discussions the Schengen Council meets in the so-called mixed committee format which includes the EU member states plus the 4 non-EU countries that are part of the Schengen agreement (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland).

The Schengen area explained (background information)

The Commission and eu-LISA, an EU agency dealing with IT systems in the area of migration, security and justice, will inform ministers about the revised timeline to ensure the interoperability of EU information systems that are used by member states to fight crime, control borders and manage migration flows. These systems include the Visa Information System and the Schengen Information System. The Council will be invited to endorse the new timeline.

IT systems to fight crime and secure EU borders (background information)

 

Combatting child sexual abuse

The presidency aims to reach a partial general approach (Council position) on a planned regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse. The proposed EU law will make it mandatory for internet companies to alert the authorities about online child sexual abuse on their platforms. A new EU centre would be set up to support authorities acting on reports of child sexual abuse and collect and share expertise and best practices in prevention and victim support.

Ministers will also have an exchange of views on preventing online radicalisation of minors.

Prevention of online child sexual abuse (background information)

 

Justice (20 October 2023)

Insolvency law

In December 2022, the Commission adopted a proposal to harmonise certain aspects of insolvency law. This proposal is currently under discussion in the Council. At their meeting in Luxembourg, ministers will hold a policy debate on the draft law.

 

Russia’s war of aggression: Fighting impunity

In view of Russia’s indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, the EU and other actors have taken steps to support the prosecutor general of Ukraine and national investigations in the member states, as well as to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in the prosecution of these crimes. At the upcoming Council meeting, EU ministers of justice will be updated about the state of play on the fight against impunity regarding crimes committed in connection with the war in Ukraine.

Council adopts conclusions on the fight against impunity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (Press release, 9 December 2022)

European Council conclusions on Ukraine (23 march 2023)

European Council conclusions (30 June 2023)

The presidency will inform ministers about the judicial cooperation with Latin America to fight organised crime. Ministers will also be invited to approve the conclusions on digital empowerment and fundamental rights.

 

Meeting information

  • Meeting n°3976
  • Luxembourg
  • 19 October 2023
  • 09:00

Preparatory documents

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Details

Start:
19 October 2023
End:
20 October 2023
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Venue

European Convention Center Luxembourg
4 Pl. de l'Europe
Neudorf-Weimershof Luxembourg, 1499 Luxembourg
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Organizer

EU Council