Luxembourg, 19 October 2023
Implications of the situation in the Middle East for the EU’s internal security
The Council exchanged views on the implications of the situation in the Middle East for the EU’s internal security.
We have analysed the implications that the conflict may have on the internal security of the EU. We are concerned about the increase of radicalisation, hate crimes and polarisation in this context of violence. It is important that the tension in the area can be de-escalated as soon as possible and that the suffering of the civilian population, especially children, will end.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, acting Spanish minister for the interior
Migration: The Pact on migration and asylum & and external dimension of migration
The Spanish presidency provided ministers with an update on the ongoing negotiations on the different legislative proposals that are part of the Pact on migration and asylum.
The Council and the European Parliament are currently engaged in so-called trilogue negotiations on the asylum procedure regulation, the screening regulation, the Eurodac regulation, the asylum and migration management regulation and, following agreement within the Council on 4 October 2023 on a negotiating mandate, the regulation addressing situations of crisis and force majeure.
The Council and the European Parliament are committed to reach a political agreement as soon as possible in order to conclude the negotiations during the current legislative term in accordance with the joint roadmap agreed by both co-legislators.
Ministers also exchanged views on the EU’s approach to the external dimension of migration. The current migratory situation underlines the need to engage with third countries of origin and transit to prevent dangerous departures across the sea or over land. Ministers supported the need to work towards mutually beneficial partnerships with third countries. They also agreed that the EU should efficiently use all the tools at its disposal – ranging from diplomatic outreach and internal coordination to operational support by EU agencies and reinforced and sustainable funding – to develop a preventive model i.e. a model which would hinder irregular departures, as well as to foster the effectiveness of returns.
Infographic – Migration flows: Eastern, Central and Western routes
- See full infographic
- EU migration and asylum policy (background information)
- EU asylum rules (background information)
Fighting online sexual abuse of children
Ministers took stock of the good progress made so far on the draft regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse material with the objective to reach a negotiating mandate in the Council. The proposed EU law will make it mandatory for internet companies to alert the authorities about online child sexual abuse on their platforms. They will need to come up with risk assessment and mitigation plans and take action to detect, report and remove child sexual abuse material.
A new independent EU Centre on Child Sexual Abuse will help the efforts of service providers – by acting as an expertise and information hub –, provide support to victims and share relevant information with law enforcement authorities.
Technical work will continue in the coming days with a view to reach an agreement in Council shortly.
IT systems to fight crimes and protect the EU’s borders
The Council endorsed the new timeline for the roll-out and interoperability of EU information systems that are used by member states to fight crime, control borders and manage migration flows. eu-LISA, an EU agency dealing with IT systems in the area of migration, security and justice, and the Commission informed ministers about the revised timeline.
The EU has put in place a number of information systems to support judicial, police and border authorities. These systems include Eurodac – a database of digitalised fingerprints for the management of asylum applications and the Schengen Information System (SIS) – an information-sharing system for the management of external borders. Other tools, such as the Entry/Exit System – which will replace manual passport stamping with an electronic registration – and ETIAS – and online travel authorisation system for visa-exempt third-country national travelling to 30 European countries – are in the process of being deployed.
The new roadmap for the delivery of the new IT architecture foresees that the Entry/Exit system will be ready to enter into operation in Autumn 2024 and that ETIAS will be ready to enter into operation in Spring 2025.
Schengen area
The Schengen Council discussed a response to fight cross-border crime, especially migrant smuggling. Migrant smuggling continues to pose significant challenges to the European Union. It is in this context that the Schengen Council was asked to define a global, coordinated and operational response. This response is based on four sets of actions: enhancing the situational awareness, reinforcing the legal framework, strengthening operational cooperation and maximising synergies with EU external action.
Preventing online radicalisation of minors
In light of an increase in terrorist and violent extremist groups attempting to recruit and radicalise minors, ministers exchanged views on the possible next steps to prevent their online radicalisation.
Ministers discussed what aspects should be prioritised in the EU’s prevention strategy against online radicalisation of minors and what additional cooperation should be required from internet companies to minimise the risk of radicalisation.
EU Civil Protection Mechanism
The presidency informed ministers about the state of play of a (limited) revision of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The revision is intended to enable the rescEU transitional period to be extended beyond the current timeframe, until the end of 2027. This will allow member states to continue benefiting from EU financing to lease additional firefighting planes, until the future EU permanent fleet becomes operational.
Both the Council and the European Parliament have agreed to maintain the initial Commission proposal. Therefore, the necessary procedural steps will be taken in the coming month to reach a successful conclusion before the end of this semester.
Other business
The presidency informed about the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs which will take place in Skopje on 26-27 October 2023.
The Bulgarian and Romanian delegations informed ministers about the measures taken during the last months with a view to the full application of the Schengen acquis in Bulgaria and Romania.
Croatia took the floor as regards a conference that happened in Zagreb on humanitarian demining and Finland and Estonia briefed delegations about the incident that affected a Baltic energy interconnector and an undersea cable.
The Commission informed about the communication on the EU roadmap to fight drug trafficking and organised crime.
Following the political agreement reached at the 28 September Council meeting of home affairs ministers, the Council today also formally adopted a Council implementing decision extending temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees.
Live streaming
Agenda highlights 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
- Provisional agenda
- List of A items, non-legislative activities
- Provisional list of A items
- Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
- Background brief