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Main results of the Council:
On Thursday, justice ministers held an in-depth discussion on certain key issues regarding the proposal for a regulation on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation).
The Council agreed on a general approach concerning the proposal for a directive on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law. This general approach constitutes the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final text of the directive.
Ministers held a public debate on the proposal for a regulation creating a European Account Preservation Order and on the proposal for a regulation on insolvency proceedings and approved a number of guidelines for future work.
The Commission presented to ministers its proposal for a regulation on promoting the free movement of citizens and businesses by simplifying the acceptance of certain public documents in the EU.
The Council adopted conclusions on fundamental rights and the rule of law and on the Commission's 2012 Report on the Application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.
These conclusions take forward the debate on the possible need for and shape of a future initiative aimed at better safeguarding the Union's fundamental values. Ministers were also briefed by the Presidency on the state of play regarding the EU's accession to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).
The Council also adopted the new EU Action Plan on Drugs (2013-2016) and listened to a presentation by the Director of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction on the 2013 European Drug Report.
On Friday, home affairs ministers held an in-depth discussion on the issue of foreign fighters and returnees from a counter-terrorism perspective, with particular regard to Syria, on the basis of a document prepared by the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator (CTC).
Ministers were also briefed by the Presidency on the final steps towards the completion of the Common European Asylum System and on the state of play as regards the Schengen Governance legislative package.
Ministers held a public debate on the proposal for a regulation on the European Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation and Training (Europol) and discussed the latest developments concerning the protection of refugees from the Syria conflict.
Over lunch, ministers discussed the issues related to the free movement of persons raised in a letter sent to the Presidency by the home affairs ministers of Austria, Germany, the 4etherlands and the United Kingdom.
The Mixed Committee (the EU plus 4orway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland), meeting in the margins of the Council, was briefed on the latest state of play regarding Schengen governance.
The Greek delegation reported to the Committee on the implementation of Greece's national action plan on asylum reform and migration management.
A joint declaration establishing a mobility partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union and its member states was signed in the margins of the Council.
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