Minister Risikko to attend meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Council on 13 October

Minister of the Interior Risikko will attend the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 13 October. The topics on the agenda include the future of the Schengen area, the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and counter-terrorism.

The EU home affairs ministers will discuss the Commission proposal on the revision of rules on the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls. The discussion will focus on how these rules could better respond to the current challenges facing internal security. The purpose of the revision is to enable the reintroduction of internal border controls for a longer period of time than what is currently possible in situations where, for example, Member States are confronted with terrorist threats to their internal security.

The ministers will also receive an update on the progress of the ongoing reform of the Common European Asylum System. This update will cover all the seven proposals put forward by the European Commission, including the proposals on the Dublin system, resettlement or the reception of quota refugees, and the role of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).

"Estonia has taken forward the discussion on the Commission proposals effectively. Finland hopes to see progress particularly on the Dublin system and the common procedure for international protection. These proposals play a key role in making the Common European Asylum System better respond to the changed operating environment," says Minister Risikko.

Inquiries:

Laura Yli-Vakkuri, Director General, tel. +358 40 720 2216 16, laura.yli-vakkuri@intermin.fi