Luxembourg, 10 October 2024
Fighting online sexual abuse of children
The presidency informed ministers of the state of play of a proposed EU law that would make it mandatory for internet companies to detect child sexual abuse material on their platforms and report it to the authorities. A planned EU centre would support authorities acting on reports of child sexual abuse and collect and share expertise and best practices as regards prevention and victim support.
The draft law was proposed in May 2022 and has since been discussed at length in Council expert meetings.
A presidency compromise currently on the table of the Council would strike the appropriate balance between protecting our children and protecting the privacy of our citizens.
The fight against child sexual abuse is a priority for our presidency. The draft law that is on the table can be a gamechanger to combat this horrible crime. We will not relent to bring this proposal over the finishing line.
Sándor Pintér, Hungarian minister of home affairs
- Prevention of online child sexual abuse (background information)
- Proposal for a regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse
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 exchanged views on the implementation of the priorities of the annual Schengen Council cycle. Ministers focused on increasing the resilience of the EU’s external borders and in particular on enhancing the quality of border controls and improving cooperation with third countries. Many delegations raised the importance of providing adequate resources for external border protection and ensuring thorough use of EU information systems. Ministers also underlined the role of Frontex in supporting member states and third countries it has signed agreements with.
The presidency also reported 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 maritime border controls with Bulgaria and Romania. Setting the date of the lifting of checks at internal land borders with Bulgaria and Romania will require a further Council decision. Bulgaria and Romania presented the measures it implemented since the December Council decision to protect their external borders and combat irregular migration.
Strengthening the security of our external borders is of paramount importance to the Hungarian presidency. We remain committed to ensuring the full Schengen membership of Bulgaria and Romania as soon as possible.
Sándor Pintér, Hungarian minister of home affairs
Interoperability between EU law enforcement IT systems
The presidency and the Commission informed ministers about the state of play of the launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES) – an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals who are travelling to the EU for a short stay. Under the new system, border officers will scan the 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 state of play of the launch.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Commission outlined plans to roll out the EES in a phased manner. The details of this approach will be established in the coming weeks.
The EES is part of a wider range of crime-fighting and border security IT systems that the EU is due to deploy in the next few years. The ETIAS travel authorisation system – a system that will check the security, migration and health risks posed by non-EU nationals who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen area – is due to become operational in the first half of 2025.
Combatting drug trafficking and organised crime
The presidency reported on the state of play of its ten priorities in the area of fighting drug trafficking and organised crime. It highlighted certain measures relating to the European Ports Alliance, the follow up on the mapping of the most threatening criminal networks, facilitating financial and digital investigations, and fostering cooperation with third countries, including against synthetic drug threats.
On the issue of synthetic drug threats, the presidency flagged the contribution of the EU and its member states to the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drugs Threats (launched on 7 July 2023 at the initiative of the US). At the EU-US Dialogue on Drugs, held on 19 September 2024, the EU and the US agreed to further cooperate and exchange information on various measures taken by both sides. The presidency is also engaging with member states in discussions regarding the EU’s preparedness to tackle synthetic drug threats.
- EU drugs policy (background information)
- The EU’s fight against organised crime (background information)
Asylum and migration
The returns of irregular migrants and rejected asylum seekers was the subject of the ministerial working lunch. In particular, ministers discussed the use of various approaches to increase the efficiency of the EU’s return system and the supportive role of Frontex in this respect. They tasked experts to start exploring innovative ideas related to returns. Ministers also agreed on the need to start working towards potential EU level solutions for the effective returns of criminals and persons posing a security threat who come from sensitive third countries.
Internal security
Since the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the Hamas attack on 7 October, home affairs 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 migratory pressure and further polarisation in our societies.
Ministers agreed on the need to continue implementing appropriate mitigating measures to address potential internal security implications.
Conclusions on combating cross-border environmental crime
The Council approved conclusions on combating cross-border environmental crime, recognising it as one of the most profitable activities for organised crime. These crimes cause severe environmental and economic harm, particularly in waste management, and are often linked to corruption, money laundering and terrorism 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.
Other business
The Commission briefed ministers on the ongoing implementation of the pact on migration and asylum. Germany addressed the implementation of the digital services act and its reporting obligation for illegal content.
The Swedish delegation drew attention to the growing concern about the recruitment of minors and young people into criminality via online platforms and Lithuania provided information about a regional civil protection forum held in Vilnius on 6 September.
Lastly, the Hungarian presidency updated ministers about the EU-Western Balkans Justice and Home Affairs ministerial forum to be held in Montenegro on 28 and 29 October.
Preparatory documents
- List of A items, non-legislative activities
- List of A items, legislative deliberations
- Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities
- Provisional agenda
- Background brief
- Provisional list of A items, addition 1
Outcome documents
Press information
Source – EU Council