Meeting: Justice and Home Affairs Council, 10-11 March 2016

A meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs took place in Brussels on 10-11 March 2016. The following topics were discussed:

10 March 2016 Home Affairs

+ Migration
Ministers exchanged views on the current migratory situation and the implementation of the statement agreed at the meeting of the EU Heads of State or Government of 7 March 2016, following their meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister

Ministers examined in particular the state of play of the implementation of the measures already taken to rapidly stem the flows, protect EU external borders, reduce illegal migration, safeguard the integrity of the Schengen area and reduce the negative humanitarian consequences of the current migratory situation.

+ European border and coast guard
Ministers took stock of the work on the proposal for a European border and coast guard. The proposed agency would bring together resources from Frontex and member states in order to monitor migratory flows, identify weak spots and respond in situations where the EU's external border is at risk.

The goal of the Presidency was to reach a Council position on the whole text by the April 2016 JHA Council with a view to striking an agreement with the European Parliament by June 2016, as requested by the European Council.

+ Weapons
The Council held a policy debate regarding the proposal for a directive on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons which reviews and completes the current directive 91/477/EEC, taking into account the recent terrorist attacks.

Ministers agreed on some guidelines for the continuation of the work at technical level. The aim of the Presidency was to have a position in the Council by June 2016.

+ Fight against terrorism
Ministers discussed and took note of a report prepared by the EU Counterterrorism coordinator on the follow up on the implementation of measures regarding counterterrorism. The report gives an overview and useful recommendations on areas where further progress is still needed, like information sharing and border security.

11 March 2016 - Justice

+ Fight against terrorism
Justice ministers adopted the Council's negotiating position on the proposal for a Directive on combating terrorism.

The proposed Directive strengthens the EU's legal framework in preventing terrorist attacks, in particular by criminalising preparatory acts such as training and travel abroad for terrorist purposes, hence contributing to combatting the phenomenon of foreign fighters. The proposal also reinforce rules on the rights of the victims of terrorism.

The Presidency would start negotiations with the European Parliament as soon as the latter has adopted its position.

+ Digital Agenda
Ministers took stock of the work done at technical level on the new contract law proposals for Directives: one on the supply of digital content and another one on the online and other distance sales of goods.

They agreed on the importance of creating a modern and business-friendly environment for traders to boost e-commerce across the borders in the EU, while increasing consumers' trust and maintaining a high level of consumer protection.

At the suggestion of the Presidency, ministers have decided to concentrate their work first on the examination of the proposal on the supply of digital content keeping in mind the need for overall coherence between the rules on online and offline sales, and between sales of goods and supply of digital content.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: Meeting: Justice and Home Affairs Council, 25 February 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/meeting-justice-and-home-affairs-council-25-february-2016/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 10.03.16: Council conclusions on migrant smuggling http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/03/10-council-conclusions-on-migrant-smuggling/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 10.03.16: Updated rules for Europol: Council adopts position at first reading http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/03/10-updated-rules-for-europol/

ESO: Background information: UNHCR expresses concern over EU-Turkey plan / UNHCR's reaction to Statement of the EU Heads of State and Government of Turkey, 7 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/unhcr-expresses-concern-over-eu-turkey-plan-unhcrs-reaction-to-statement-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-and-government-of-turkey-7-march-2016/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

ESO: Background information: International Summit: Meeting of the EU heads of state or government with Turkey, Brussels, 7 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/international-summit-meeting-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-or-government-with-turkey-brussels-7-march-2016/

ESO: Background information: Press Release: Directive on combatting terrorism: Council ready to start negotiations with Parliament http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-directive-on-combatting-terrorism-council-ready-to-start-negotiations-with-parliament/

ESO: Background information: Free circulation of public documents: cutting red tape for citizens http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-free-circulation-of-public-documents-cutting-red-tape-for-citizens/

ESO: Background information: Ukraine territorial integrity: EU extends sanctions by 6 months http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-ukraine-territorial-integrity-eu-extends-sanctions-by-6-months/

ESO: Background information: New EU rules for third-country researchers and students: Council adopts position at first reading http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-new-eu-rules-for-third-country-researchers-and-students-council-adopts-position-at-first-reading/

Council of the European Union: EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator: State of play on implementation of the statement of the Members of the European Council of 12 February 2015, the JHA Council Conclusions of 20 November 2015, and the Conclusions of the European Council of 18 December 2015 http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6785-2016-INIT/en/pdf

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