Informal meeting of the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs, Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam, 25-26 January 2016

The Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA Council) took place on 25 and 26 January 2016. Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from the EU member states met at the Europa Building in Amsterdam to discuss European cooperation on security, migration and justice.

Ten subjects
The European Union faces major challenges on matters of justice and home affairs. Alongside cyber crime, it is mainly migration and the fight against terrorism that dominate the political agenda. The JHA Council of January 2016 is remarkable for the number of items on the agenda: no fewer than ten subjects spanning the entire field of justice and home affairs will be discussed in just two days.

Approach to terrorism
The morning of 25 January 2016 will be entirely devoted to a debate on information exchange and the local approach to terrorism. A presentation on cyber security will follow towards the end of the morning session.

Migration and cyber crime
Migration will be the main topic of discussion on Monday afternoon, with a range of subjects including the European Border and Coast Guard on the agenda. 26 January 2016 will be devoted largely to cyber crime. The Dutch Minister of Security and Justice, Ard van der Steur, State Secretary for Security and Justice Klaas Dijkhoff and EU Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos will give a press conference at 17.45.

The Netherlands’ aim as holder of the Presidency
Along with Luxembourg and Trio partners Malta and Slovakia, the Netherlands’ Presidency is aiming for a dynamic and interactive JHA Council. It has therefore opted for an approach that will stimulate political debate between the ministers in attendance.

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

EurActiv, 25.01.16: New European police centre launches to 'help anti-terror coordination' http://www.euractiv.com/sections/security/new-european-police-centre-launches-help-anti-terror-coordination-321263

ESO: Background information: The EU and its Counter-Terrorism Policies after the Paris Attacks http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-eu-and-its-counter-terrorism-policies-after-the-paris-attacks/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the vision for European Forensic Science 2020 including the creation of a European Forensic Science Area and the development of forensic science infrastructure in Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-conclusions-on-the-vision-for-european-forensicscience-2020-including-the-creation-of-a-european-forensicscience-area-and-the-development-of-forensic-scienceinfrastructure-in-europe/

ESO: Background information: 20 years on: rethinking Schengen http://www.europeansources.info/record/20-years-on-rethinking-schengen/

ESO: Background information: Greece threatened with expulsion from Schengen over migration crisis / Schengen on the rocks http://www.europeansources.info/record/schengen-on-the-rocks-greece-threatened-with-expulsion-from-schengen-over-migration-crisis/

Politico, 25.01.16: EU pushes ‘worst-case scenario’ to stem migrant crisis http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-possible-extension-schengen-border-control/

EUObserver, 25.01.16: EU states push for two-year border controls https://euobserver.com/migration/131988

Netherlands: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: EU Presidency: News, 25.01.16: New European Counter terrorism Centre will help tackle terrorism http://english.eu2016.nl/latest/news/2016/01/25/new-european-counter-terrorism-centre-will-help-tackle-terrorism

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