Videoconference of EU home affairs ministers: Fight against terrorism and migration policy are on the agenda tomorrow
On 13 November 2020, EU interior ministers will meet virtually to discuss the fight against terrorism in light of the most recent attacks in Europe. They will also continue their exchange on the new pact on migration recently proposed by the European Commission.
During their videoconference, which will be led by German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, ministers will look into possibilities to strengthen the EU’s common efforts against terrorism after recent attacks in France, Germany and Austria. Since the attacks in Paris in 2015, EU authorities have reinforced anti-terrorism measures across the continent. This has included enacting legislation to better control dangerous firearms, improving cooperation, and the exchange of information, between countries both within and outside the EU, reinforcing security checks at external borders and doing more to combat online radicalisation.
Following this, ministers will continue their exchange on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum proposed by the European Commission in September this year. Topics include internal and external European issues resulting from the proposed Pact, such as the the solidarity mechanism and internal migration and asylum management.
“We now have the great opportunity to show the world that Europe stands together on this difficult issue,” said Minister of the Interior, Horst Seehofer.
The proposed new Pact aims to ensure that burdens and responsibilities are more evenly shared, by taking a comprehensive and pan-European approach to migration. It should make the process of migration faster, more just and more transparent both for highly-skilled individuals from non-EU states, who wish to live and work in the EU, and for vulnerable persons who apply for asylum. It shall also better prepare the EU for emergency situations.
Following this meeting, the upcoming Justice and Home Affairs Council on 3 and 4 December will be crucial to further progress on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Info
The videoconference begins at 12.00. Before the meeting, Germany’s Federal Minister of the Interior, Building and Community, Horst Seehofer, will give a doorstep statement at 11.10. The videoconference will break at around 14.45 for a press conference. The statement and press conference can be viewed via live stream on the Ministry of the Interior’s website. The videoconference will continue at 15.30. For further information on the meeting, visit the website of the Council of the EU.
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