Justice and Home Affairs Council, 14/09/2017 - Main results

Source: Council of the European Union (Council) i, published on Friday, September 15 2017, 0:58.

Main results

Migration

Home affairs ministers discussed the state of play and next steps in the field of migration and in particular regarding the Mediterranean. They took stock of events over the summer and focused on a number of issues where further action is needed at EU level.

They covered the comprehensive response to the migratory flows in the Central Mediterranean, which over the last months has resulted in a lower number of arrivals, as well as work in other areas such as the return of irregular migrants and cooperation with third countries.

“The decrease in arrivals in recent months in the Central Mediterranean represents a positive trend, but we are not there yet. We must now continue to work to ensure that this remains the case along all routes. That means cooperation with third countries, implementing return policy and supporting transit countries like Libya.

No country in European Union should be left alone in dealing with large flows of irregular migration. We therefore need to become more efficient in identifying those who are genuinely in need of international protection and return those who do not have the right to stay in Europe."

Andres Anvelt, Estonian Minister of the Interior

Finding solutions to migratory pressures (background information)

Fight against terrorism

Following recent terrorist attacks in Europe, ministers were updated on priority areas for action in the coming months. These include working on the prevention of radicalisation, improving the exchange of information, reflecting on the protection of public areas and working on the counter-terrorism related elements of the legislative proposals on a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and on the addition of features to the Schengen Information System (SIS).

The Commission also informed ministers about the state of play on the draft EU-Canada PNR agreement following the opinion issued by the European Court of Justice on 26 July 2017. In its opinion, the Court declared that the agreement cannot be concluded in its current form because several of its provisions are incompatible with EU fundamental rights.

EU fight against terrorism (background information)

Meeting information

Meeting n°3559

Brussels

14/09/2017

Preparatory documents

Indicative programme, Justice and Home Affairs Council, 14 September 2017

Provisional agenda, Justice and Home Affairs Council, 14 September 2017

List of A items, non-legislative activities, Justice and Home Affairs Council, 14 September 2017

Addendum 1 to list of A items, non-legislative activities, Justice and Home Affairs Council, 14 September 2017

Background brief

Outcome documents

Outcome of the Council meeting

List of participants

Press releases

EU-Japan trade negotiating directives made public

14/09/2017, 16:15

North Korea: Council reinforces EU sanctions in line with UN Security Council resolution 2371 of 5 August 2017

14/09/2017, 15:00

EU prolongs sanctions over actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity until 15 March 2018

14/09/2017, 14:55

Press information

Press contacts

Veronica Huertas Cerdeira

Press officer (Home affairs; Counter-terrorism coordination)

+32 22814548

+32 470882199

If you are not a journalist, please send your request to the public information service.

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