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Minister of Justice and Public Order Marios Hartsiotis participated in the Justice and Home Affairs Council, which took place in Brussels on 4 and 5 March.
During the first day of the Council, the general situation in the Schengen area was reviewed and Ministers approved the adoption of a Recommendation, which will include the best practices followed by Member States.
Ministers were further invited to comment on the evaluation of the work of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to date and to make recommendations to enhance its effectiveness. In his intervention, Mr. Hartsiotis expressed his appreciation for the Agency's assistance to the Cypriot authorities, as it has deployed a significant number of members in missions, contributing to external border controls, the management of arriving irregular migrants and in the field of returns, where our country is making very significant progress. In order to improve the effectiveness of the Agency, the Minister suggested that efforts should focus on strengthening cooperation with third countries of origin and transit of irregular migrants. This approach will facilitate the prevention of illegal migration as well as return procedures, including the organisation of joint return operations by the Agency, in particular for those who pose a risk to the public order and security of Member States.
During a working lunch with the participation of the Minister of Interior of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko by videoconference, Ministers exchanged views on the implications for the internal security of the EU of the conflict in the Middle East and the consequences of the inspection and return of illegal immigrants. Hartsiotis noted that dismantling networks of traffickers is of paramount importance in the fight against irregular migration, regardless of whether they operate in the countries of origin, transit or final destination of migrants. He also indicated that it is a harmonised legislative framework which will certainly be an important tool in this direction and made suggestions on specific legal aspects of the proposed directive.
(BAT/NYAN/EATH)
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