Meeting in Brussels on Thursday 25 January, the EU27 home affairs ministers and their representatives will discuss migration and the forthcoming implementation of the ‘Pact on Migration and Asylum’, disinformation practices and the use of artificial intelligence, and EU action against drugs.
The day before, in Antwerp, the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council inaugurated the new European Ports Alliance for the fight against drugs, with Antwerp acting as a hub for the EU (see other news).
However, the ministers will begin their day with a strategic discussion on migration, while the situation on the ground remains “worrying”, explains the Presidency in a presentation note.
Over the last few months, “the reform of the common asylum and immigration system has gained much-needed momentum. A historic political agreement was reached on the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and important steps were taken in other legislative files and in the enhancement of cooperation with third countries. At the same time, the situation on the ground remains worrying, with a consistently high number of asylum applications, too-low return rates, and migration policy that needs to be implemented while respecting the current legislative framework”, the note stresses.
According to the European border surveillance agency Frontex, which published data in mid-January, the number of known irregular entries into the European Union rose by 17% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching the highest level since 2016, it announced on Tuesday 16 January.
We are talking about a “significant increase in the number of irregular entries in 2023”. The number of entries recorded was 380,000, 41% of which via the Central Mediterranean route.
The Commission will present an update on the migration situation in the EU and the main migration routes. The meeting will then focus on the agreement reached in December on the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration system and will take stock of the other legislative dossiers still on the negotiating table.
The discussion will then turn to the external dimension, in particular partnerships with third countries.
“A second topic that will be discussed concerns the status of displaced persons from Ukraine in the European Union. As the war against Ukraine continues into its second year, the Member States will launch a discussion on current and future complementary and alternative avenues to temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine”, states the note.
At lunch, the ministers will discuss the use of AI by criminal organisations to enable the proliferation of cybercrime in general and deepfakes technology in particular. “In the ever-evolving landscape of law enforcement, the imperative to recognise and combat emerging forms of cybercrime necessitates the acquisition of new skills and capabilities”.
The impact “of these developments on information-led policing is profound, posing challenges to the authenticity of information and the vetting of digital evidence in court”, explains the Presidency.
The evolving nature of crimes committed online requires law enforcement agencies to adapt by acquiring new skills and capabilities, the memo adds.
Drugs and the European Ports Alliance
The second afternoon session will be devoted to the global response to drug-related organised crime, which represents one of the most serious internal security challenges facing Europe today.
The discussion will be based on the EU Drugs Strategy and its Action Plan 2021-2025 and the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime 2021-2025, including in the context of EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats).
The Belgian Presidency intends to focus on ten priority actions to provide law enforcement authorities and services with enhanced tools in the fight against organised crime.
Links to meeting documents: https://aeur.eu/f/aja ; https://aeur.eu/f/aj9 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)