Luxembourg, 13 June 2024
Combatting drug trafficking and organised crime
The Belgian presidency took stock of the actions it undertook during its term in the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime.
One of the key achievements was a report, issued by Europol in April 2024, mapping the most threatening criminal networks. The report, a first of its kind, describes how the most threatening criminal networks are organised, which criminal activities they engage in and how and where they operate.
The Council today approved conclusions on this report. In these conclusions the Council stressed the need to further develop the intelligence picture on high-risk criminal networks as a fundamental step to further enhancing its approach to dismantling them. The conclusions also call on member states to ensure that their law enforcement services engage with Europol to further exploit and analyse the relevant data on criminal networks. Member states also wish this mapping exercise on the most threatening criminal networks to be conducted on a biennial basis.
Across the EU, citizens need their governments to take action against drug trafficking and organised crime and provide security. Because this is a common challenge, we have made this a priority during the Belgian presidency of the Council, and I am proud of the results we delivered.
Annelies Verlinden, Belgian Minister of Home Affairs
- EU drugs policy (background information)
- Decoding the EU’s most threatening criminal networks (Europol)
Protection for Ukrainian refugees
The Council reached a political agreement on the proposal to extend the temporary protection for the more than 4 million Ukrainians who fled from Russia’s war of aggression until 4 March 2026. The Council will formally adopt its agreement in the next weeks. Ministers also raised the need to look for sustainable measures to support those fleeing from Russia’s war.
The temporary protection mechanism was triggered on 4 March 2022 – only a few days after the Russian armed forces launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine – and runs until 4 March 2025.
- EU response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (background information)
- EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)
Migration
On 14 May the Council adopted the pact on asylum and migration. Member states now have two years to put the set of rules into practice.
Today the European Commission presented to ministers its Common Implementation Plan which was adopted yesterday. The plan is based on 10 building blocks which focus on preparing the common information system, making solidarity work and ensuring return procedures are fair and efficient, among other things. The Commission also provided information on the financial and operational support that member states can make use of.
In their reaction to the presentation of the implementation plan many ministers highlighted that the Council should continue playing a strong role in offering political guidance during the implementation phase.
The recent adoption of the pact on asylum and migration showcases the EU’s resolve to address the challenge of irregular migration together. Our focus is now on making sure that this pact will make a difference on the ground.
Nicole de Moor, State Secretary for Asylum and Migration
- Implementation plan (European Commission)
- EU migration and asylum policy (background information)
- Migration flows: Eastern, Central and Western routes (infographic)
Visa
Ministers held an exchange of views on the future of the EU common visa policy. Visa policy is an integral part of the migration management system. Ministers agreed on the need for a stronger European answer to tackle improper use of visa rules and conditions, as well as the need for better statistics.
The Pact is just one piece of the puzzle. We tend to ignore that only about one-third of the asylum applications happen after an irregular border crossing.
Nicole de Moor, State Secretary for Asylum and Migration
Police access to data
‘Going dark’ is emerging as a considerable challenge for European law enforcement authorities. As the world becomes increasingly digital, the police and judiciary are confronted with many obstacles in accessing electronic evidence. The competences our law enforcement has in the real world should also be translated in the digital world.
At the Council meeting, ministers exchanged views on a report of the High-Level Group on Access to Data for Effective Law Enforcement, which was set up in June 2023 to recommend actions to address the risk of law enforcement ‘going dark’.
In May 2024 the group presented a report with 42 recommendations grouped into three building blocks: capacity building measures; cooperation with industry and standardisation; and legislative measures.
The Council welcomed the recommendations and identified priority areas of work that should be addressed during the next legislative term.
Fighting online sexual abuse of children
The presidency informed ministers of the state of play of a proposed EU law that will make it mandatory for internet companies to alert the authorities regarding online child sexual abuse on their platforms.
The presidency also informed delegations of other legislative files that fall within the remit of home affairs ministers.
Schengen area
Ministers discussed the state of the Schengen area and agreed on the main priorities for Schengen in the coming 12 months.
Interoperability
With only a few months to go before the launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES) – an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay – ministers took stock of the process to deploy an interoperability architecture of crime-fighting and border security IT systems. This architecture includes also the ETIAS travel authorisation system which is scheduled to become operational in the first half of 2025.
Other business
The Swedish minister informed the Council of a New SecEUrity Package and Portugal briefed ministers on its activities to reinforce cooperation between the EU and partners from Middle Eastern and North African countries.
The presidency informed the Council of the upcoming EU-US ministerial meeting on justice and home affairs, which will take place on 20 and 21 June in Brussels. Finally, Hungary presented the work programme for its presidency which will begin on 1 July.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.
Preparatory documents
- Background brief
- Provisional agenda
- Provisional list of A items
- List of A items, non-legislative activities
- List of A items, legislative deliberations
- List of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
Outcome documents
Press releases
Source – EU Council