I have attended a JHA Council meeting for the first time. I am glad that Poland is returning to a full dialogue with the European institutions

- stressed Minister Marcin Kierwiński before the start of the meeting.

Secure Poland and Europe

During the meeting, ministers of internal affairs discussed the European Union’s migration policy. An important aspect was the external dimension of migration and the fact that EU policies were designed to address the migration challenges that the EU shares with other countries. In this matter, there was also a debate on the conflict in the Middle East and the Russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as the resulting security implications.

Poland, like other Baltic or Scandinavian countries, is dealing with the instrumental use of migration and pressure created on the EU borders. This is a common problem and we need to develop a common approach to prevent this form of illegal migration, for it has real consequences for the security of the entire European Union

- stressed Minister Marcin Kierwiński.

In addition, heads of the ministries of internal affairs discussed the state of the Schengen Area, the European free-travel area and the recently presented evaluation of the EU law establishing Frontex. They also reviewed the progress of large-scale interoperable systems, i.e., IT systems in the area of migration, security and justice operating in the EU for the purposes of combating crime, controlling borders and managing migration flows.

The issue of combating drug trafficking and organised crime was also raised at the JHA Council meeting.

Assistance to Ukraine and the situation at the EU external border 

During the meeting, the ministers connected remotely with the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko. The discussion focused on the current situation in Ukraine, support for the country and the implications for the internal security of the European Union.

Supplementary to the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council, Deputy Minister Maciej Duszczyk initiated a multilateral consultation with the ministers of internal affairs representing the Baltic and Nordic countries. It concerns the current situation on the borders with Russia and Belarus. The risk of the return of the migration route was also raised. The meeting was attended by ministers from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

The next meeting of the European Union’s Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) will take place in Luxembourg on 13–14 June 2024.