During the JHA Council meeting, the attending ministers took stock of the overall state of the Schengen area, exchanging views concerning the implementation of the annual zone management cycle priorities. The meeting included a presentation of a report, which identified the main trends characterising irregular migration and other threats to freedom of movement within the European Union. 

The participants confirmed that the protection of external borders remains a key priority for the EU. Poland believes that the functioning of the Schengen area hinges upon the effective protection of external borders, which is why it is pursuing every effort to ensure it. Unfortunately, the existing EU-wide and international legal framework never envisaged the instrumental use of migration as a way to wage hybrid warfare. 

During the meeting, Ministers of the Interior were also briefed on the full implementation of the Schengen acquis in Bulgaria and Romania.

Another key topic raised during the meeting was the issue of returning migrants without the legal right to remain in the EU. An effective system ensuring their return is one of the pillars of EU migration policy. Its implementation requires rapid reform of EU regulations, forging partnerships with countries of origin and ensuring transit of migrants as well as limiting visa schemes and taking advantage of other incentives in the context of countries that do not work with the EU to a sufficient degree with regard to the return of their own nationals.

Security remains a priority

The Ministers attending the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting also focused on security matters and the impact of external conflicts, and discussed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East and their impact on the EU. 

The current Presidency outlined its priorities with regards to combating drug trafficking and organised crime, as well as the latest developments on their implementation.

The next formal meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council will take place in Brussels on 12-13 December 2024.