Immigration tops justice agenda

Summary:

Immigration looks set to dominate the justice and home affairs agenda of the German presidency in the same way that it has dominated the portfolio during Finland’s six-month term.

With thousands of immigrants expected again to try to make their way from Africa to the EU’s southern borders starting in early spring, Germany will be keen to gain the support of other member states to work together on the issue. Attention will be on Frontex, the EU border agency, which "must be in a position to guide and co-ordinate the national police forces in such a way that illegal entry at our common external borders becomes the exception", according to a German briefing paper.