Home affairs ministers to discuss measures to increase submarine cable security and effectiveness of returns

The EU home affairs ministers will gather in Brussels on 5 March for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The topics on the agenda include the state of the critical submarine infrastructure, the management of migration and the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime. Finland will be represented by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

The ministers will receive an update on the state of play of the EU Action Plan aimed at further enhancing the resilience and security of submarine communication and electricity cables. The Commission issued a Joint Communication on the Action Plan on 21 February.

Primarily, the protection of critical infrastructure is the responsibility of the Member States. However, submarine cables cross the borders of Member States, and they also have an economic dimension. Therefore, the Commission considers that more effective action at EU level is also required.

“Finland is well prepared for a wide range of incidents, and the Finnish authorities are determined to intervene in all activities threatening our critical infrastructure. However, there is an increasing need for EU-level preparedness as well, because the crises and incidents have become more complex and often have a cross-border dimension. Ultimately, we are talking about the security of the Union as a whole,” says Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

“The Finnish Border Guard is constantly prepared and able to intervene in unauthorised or hostile acts targeted at critical infrastructure in Finland’s maritime area. The availability of EU support in the cable surveillance and repair activities is a good addition to this,” the Minister continues.

Ensuring the security of the EU's critical infrastructure is an important part of the Preparedness Union Strategy and the Internal Security Strategy of the EU. The Commission is expected to adopt both strategies during spring 2025.

Effective EU legislation is necessary to increase the efficiency of returns

The home affairs ministers will also continue their discussion on the management of migration, including measures to increase the effectiveness of returns. The Commission has stated that EU immigration policy is sustainable only if the effective return of those who do not have the right to remain in the Union can be ensured. In the near future, the Commission is expected to present a proposal for new EU legislation governing the return system.

“We need effective EU legislation to bring about real changes. Well-functioning returns are also an important element in ensuring the security of the Schengen area, and the immediate return of criminal offenders and persons posing a security threat must be a priority. Returnees should also have a statutory obligation to cooperate with authorities at all stages of the return process,” says Minister of the Interior Rantanen.

“The EU must continue to develop innovative solutions related to the management and curbing of migration, such as return hubs in third countries. In order for the establishment of return hubs to be feasible in the first place, the definition of ‘return’ should be expanded so that a person could also be returned to a country other than their home country or country of origin, if necessary,” the Minister says.

Other migration issues to be discussed include the uncertain situation of Syrians and ways to support the voluntary return of those who wish to return to Syria. 

Closer cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime

At the meeting, the home affairs ministers will also receive an update on the measures taken in the EU to combat drug trafficking and organised crime. 

One of the priorities in this respect is more effective cooperation with Latin America. In connection with the meeting, the aim is to issue a joint declaration of the EU and the Latin American Committee on Internal Security (CLASI) on the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking. A plan for operational cooperation for 2025–2026 will be published as an annex to the declaration.

Inquiries:
Laura Yli-Vakkuri, Director General, tel. +358 40 720 2216, firstname.lastname@gov.fi
Communications Unit, Ministry of the Interior, media.sm@gov.fi (requests for interviews with the Minister)