Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, Responsible for Home Affairs

New website and new coordinator in the fight against human trafficking

21/12/2010

Cecilia Malmström and the new EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Myria Vassiliadou held a joint press conference in Brussels today, where they welcomed the recent developments, and also presented the new anti-trafficking website, www.ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking

"I hope that this website will help raise awareness about human trafficking, that it will become a one stop shop for practitioners, civil society, and others interested in learning more about trafficking, and what the EU does to fight it", said Cecilia Malmström.

Myria Vassiliadou gave her view on her new position as Anti-Trafficking Coordinator:
"Trafficking in human beings is a global challenge to which I have personally and professionally been very committed for the last decade. I have worked on this issue as an academic, an activist, and an advocate trying to influence national and European policies within the broader context of gender equality, fundamental rights, and social justice".

Read more in the press release and watch today's press conference.

One step forward in the fight against trafficking

14/12/2010

Myria Vassiliadou is the name of the new Coordinator. She is from Cyprus and is currently Secretary General for the European Women's Lobby, EWL. Her job will be to improve cooperation between all relevant actors in order to develop EU policies in the fight against trafficking in human beings.

The fact that the European Parliament has now voted in favour of the Commission's Directive proposal is one step closer to tougher legislation on trafficking in Member States.
"Today's political agreement in the Parliament is most welcome. This shows a broad ambition within the EU that we want to step up our efforts to build a comprehensive anti-trafficking policy", said Cecilia Malmström.

Read more in the press release.

Good discussions in Washington

10/12/2010

"We have had good discussions on a number of subjects", said Cecilia Malmström. "We have taken the first step in the negotiations on a new Passsenger Name Records (PNR) agreement by respectively presentining our priorities. I am also glad that we have taken the decision to set up a common working group on cyber security."

The EU delegation also included EU Commissioner for Justice Viviane Reding and the Belgian and Hungarian Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs.

Read the speech on transatlantic security cooperation that Cecilia Malmström delivered in Washington, and read the joint statement from Cecilia Malmström and US Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security Jane Lute, on the launch of PNR negotiations.

Anti-Corruption Day: Malmström calls for stronger action to fight corruption

09/12/2010

"Corruption is not a victimless crime. It undermines democracy and drains the economy. The fight against corruption is an important part of the EU agenda as we know that this is a priority for our citizens. Almost nine out of ten participants in a public consultation recently requested more EU action to fight corruption."

"Next year, I plan to propose a set of tools to improve Europe's capacity to fight this crime. This anti-corruption package will include an update of the EU anti-corruption policy, with a follow-up on how Member States use the existing regulations on a national level, and a European reporting mechanism to target and tackle the blind spots in the work already done by Member States."

"Corruption is a crime that must be taken seriously, and that must be fought by all means and on all levels. From the EU side, we must take our responsibility to boost anti-corruption policies in the Member States".

Read more about the International Anti-Corruption Day, and read more about corruption on the website of Transparency International. Below is a video message from Cecilia Malmström for a conference on the International Anti-Corruption Day, organised by the Flare network and Transparency International.

Talks with the United States

08/12/2010

Cecilia Malmström will meet with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Attorney General Eric Holder, and Senator Joseph Liebermann, among others. She will also participate in a conference on European and transatlantic security at the John Hopkins University, a breakfast meeting with the Migration Policy Institute, and attend the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting.

Commissioner Malmström announces intention to amend Data Retention Directive

03/12/2010

Cecilia Malmström emphasized that the Directive should be improved in a full and open public debate. The purpose and the scope of data retention should be limited to what is necessary, and the Directive should contain all necessary safeguards to protect against abuse. The ongoing evaluation of the Directive will be presented in Spring 2011, with the aim to come up with a well-prepared proposal to amend the Directive as soon as the procedures allow.

The full speech can be found here.

Malmström welcomes Council agreement on trafficking in human beings

03/12/2010

"I welcome the Council's decision", says EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström. "This directive is an important step in our ambition to get better at protecting the victims and punishing the criminals. We must do everything in our power to target and fight this modern slavery."

A vote on the directive in the European Parliament is expected in a few weeks time.

During the Justice and Home Affairs Council, Commissioner Malmström also presented the Internal Security Strategy in Action and participated in discussions on asylum and migration, unaccompanied minors and the fight against sexual abuse of children, among other issues.

Watch the press conferences on EBS and read more about the Council meeting on the website of the Belgian Presidency. You can read the Commission's press release on trafficking in human beings here.

"Migration is not always perceived as an asset"

29/11/2010

"In the times we live in, migration is not always perceived as an asset, or as the duty of well-functioning societies to welcome and protect people in need. A recent international educational survey shows that children in developed democratic states hold very negative attitudes towards migrants; and in an increasing number of countries politicians feed off these fears and get elected because of them. Fears of the unknown, of other religions, other habits, other ways of living. History tells us that migrants have been scapegoats far too often. We all know the tragic consequences."

Read the full speech.

Cecilia Malmström welcomes agreement on human trafficking

24/11/2010

"I welcome this political agreement. It confirms the ambition of all EU institutions that we do not tolerate that people are being abused in the horrible industry of human trafficking. We must get better at protecting the victims and punishing the criminals behind this repelling crime. We must do everything in our power to target and fight this modern slavery", said Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.

The proposed Directive would oblige Member States to act on three fronts, by prosecuting criminals responsible for human trafficking, protecting the victims and preventing the offences.

Read Cecilia Malmström's statement in full and read more on the Directive (COM/2010/0095) that the Commission proposed in March.

It is now up to the European Parliament and the Council to vote on the Directive before it can be incorporated in the national legislation of Member States.

Time to increase EU internal security

22/11/2010

The strategy is targeting five areas: organised crime, terrorism, cybercrime and cyber security, border management, and crises and disasters. The document is available below. See also the press release and the memo.

Watch today's press conference with Cecilia Malmström.

Visit to Tirana and Sarajevo

15/11/2010

Cecilia Malmström visited Tirana and Sarajevo together with Belgium's Minister for Migration Mr Melchior Wathelet. They met with politicians, students, and businesses, and discussed the consequences of the new visa-free regime.

"It is amazing how much this mean to the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania. It was moving to hear the students tell us about how they have struggled with visa bureaucracy to be able to visit friends in Europe, and to see their joy of not having to go through that anymore", said Cecilia Malmström after her visit.

Read more about the new visa-free regime.

Unanimous support for visa free regime for Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina

08/11/2010

At a press conference in Brussels today, both Cecilia Malmström and Belgium's asylum and migration minister Melchior Wathelet underlined that the visa-free regime goes hand in hand with the responsibility from the governments of the two countries to make sure that the agreement is not being abused.
"The responsible ministers from Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina were present at the meeting and they reassured us that this agreement will be used in the way it is intended, which is to facilitate for citizens to meet across EU borders", said Cecilia Malmström.

Watch today's press conference and read more about the agreement, which is foreseen to enter into force before Christmas.

The ministerial council continues during the afternoon. Among the other issues on the agenda are the asylum package and the state of play in the negotiations on the EU asylum policy. The ministers also discussed terrorism after the recent warnings about suspected bombs in cargo airplanes. Moreover, Cecilia Malmström reported from her visit to Greece last week, after the Greek government requested EU support in handling the situation with the many people entering Greece via the Turkish land border.

Visit to the border between Greece and Turkey

08/11/2010

"This is a unique expression of European solidarity", said Cecilia Malmström. " Greece is under heavy pressure and the Rapid Border Intervention Teams can help to get control of the situation while also assisting Greece in building up its own capacity. At the same time, Greece must, with European help, create a well-functioning asylum system. The humanitarian situation is very worrying."

During her stay in Greece, Cecilia Malmström visited the border area, spoke with the RABIT teams and visited a detention centre for those who have crossed the border. There are photos available from the trip here.

Cecilia Malmström to Greece

04/11/2010

"The situation in Greece is distressing", says Cecilia Malmström. "In the first half of 2010, a total of 40,000 illegal border crossings were reported by the Greek authorities. Greece currently lacks the sufficient capacity to uphold the procedures set up for border control and for the identification of individuals who could be in need of international protection."

On the 24th of October Greece requested the European Union to activate the Rapid Border Intervention Teams (RABIT) to help monitoring a 12.5 kilometre long stretch of the border between Greece and Turkey. The aim is to rapidly assist the national border authorities during a limited period of time. This first ever deployment of RABIT since their creation in 2007 will bring together 175 border control specialists from 26 Member States and countries taking part in the Schengen agreement.

Busy day in Stockholm

26/10/2010

Cecilia Malmström also participated in the conference Internetdagarna, where she spoke about the importance of cooperation between EU institutions and Member States in fighting cyber crime.

"We are witnessing a rapidly growing trend where more and more crimes are committed by using the Internet. This is the case for theft of credit card details, but also for a new type of crime where the Internet is being used for large scale attacks", said Cecilia Malmström in her speech. She underlined that cyber crime must become a natural part of the EU's work against organised crime, just as trafficking in human beings, drug smuggling and illegal weapons trade.

"In a few weeks, I will present an internal security strategy for the EU, where cyber crime is included. As EU Commissioner, it is my task to view cyber criminality in a broader perspective so that it becomes clear what damages it can lead to", said Cecilia Malmström. 

Read more about the conference and read Cecilia Malmström's speech in full (in Swedish).

Worrying situation in Greece

25/10/2010

"The humanitarian situation is very difficult and Greece does not have the capacity for the procedures needed in order to identify those who could be in need of international protection", says EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström who is responsible for asylum and migration issues on an EU level.

Read Cecilia Malmström's statement in full.

Victims of trafficking should have better protection

18/10/2010

"We can not accept that, while several hundred thousand victims are estimated to be trafficked every year within and into the EU, only a few thousand victims are assisted," said Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs. "Trafficking in human beings, whether it is called forced labour or sexual exploitation, is a terrible crime and should be called by its right name: modern slavery. Fighting it is a top priority."

The EU directive from 2004 makes it possible for Member States to issue residence permits linked to the length of national proceedings in exchange for cooperation of victims with investigation authorities. In its report on the implementation of this directive, the European Commission however notes that while the number of identified victims in some Member States ranges from several hundred to even two thousand per year, the number of residence permits based on the Directive is rarely higher than twenty per year.

The EU Anti-Trafficking Day has been established on 18 October of every year. On the occasion of this fourth edition, the Belgian EU Presidency organises a high level conference "Towards a multidisciplinary approach to prevention of trafficking in human beings, prosecution of traffickers and protection of victims' bringing together politicians, government practitioners and civil society from across EU." Cecilia Malmström held a speech on the conference.

Read Cecilia Malmström's opening speech given at the conference, today's press release from the Commission and the press release on proposal on strengthening the fight against trafficking in human beings put forward in March 2010.

Meetings in Vienna and Bratislava

12/10/2010

"Among other things, we spoke about the asylum package and how to move forward. It requires big efforts from both Member States, the European Parliament and the Commission if we are to succeed in agreeing on the common asylum package by the year 2012 as planned", said Cecilia Malmström.

Heavy agenda for interior ministers

07/10/2010

These last couple of weeks, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström has visited both Libya and Greece to discuss asylum and migration. She debriefed the ministers on the situations in the two countries. During the press conference following the Council meeting, she said:
"As you know, many Member States and the Commission are very concerned about the state of the asylum system in Greece. But there is now an action plan and a very strong European willingness to help the Greek authorities to overcome this and to construct a good system according to European norms. There has been a strong show of European solidarity from Member States to contribute to this by expertise, know-how, translators, interpreters, and so on. And there is also money that could be provided for this."

Watch the press conference in full and get more information on the Council meeting on the website of the Belgian EU Presidency.

EU and Libya cooperate on migration

06/10/2010

"Libya is one of the portals into Europe for people who are fleeing or seeking a better life. Therefore we need to agree on good terms for cooperation, and to ensure the respect for fundamental rights throughout the whole asylum and migration process", says EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.

The purpose of the Libya visit was to discuss bilateral issues with the Libyan authorities, with a special focus on migration. An estimated 1,5 million people on the run or in pursuit of a better life are currently staying in Libya.

EU Member States have previously underlined the need for closer cooperation with the countries from which many people come to Europe. The new agreement includes, apart from issues concerning asylum and international protection, that the EU should support Libya in trying to build up a system for labour migration, that tougher measures should be taken on smugglers of human beings, and to develop the Libyan border control. For a period of three years, the EU offers 50 million euro in projects within the framework of this cooperation plan.

Cecilia Malmström also visited a detention centre in the desert by the Libyan southern border.
"Many people are being found in the desert, often after having been left there by smugglers. Those who succeed in reaching Libyan ground are being rescued, but they often get stuck in detention centres waiting on being allowed to move on. And the living conditions in those centres are horrible. With our new EU-Libya agreement, I hope that we can contribute to improving the situation for these people and make sure that those who need to come to Europe for international protection will be able to do that", says Cecilia Malmström.

Read the EU-Libya agreement in full and watch the press conference that Cecilia Malmström had in Brussels today after her Libya visit.

Commission suggests tougher measures against cyber attacks

30/09/2010

During the joint press conference Neelie Kroes underlined that "the EU institutions and governments must work ever closer together, to help us understand the nature and scale of the new cyber treats".

"There is a clear increase in the number of cyber crimes – from attacks against countries like Estonia in 2007 to more of an every day illegal activity, where felonies such as credit card thefts, money transfers, identity thefts, and industrial espionage is carried out by a new type of criminals. By using so called botnets, criminals can take control of computers all over the world. These stories seem like science fiction, but they are unfortunately the reality of an increasingly lucrative business", said Cecilia Malmström.

The Directive proposals are a first step in strengthening the EU tools in meeting the cyber crime threats. In the action-oriented EU Internal Security Strategy that Cecilia Malmström is planning to put forward later this fall, the EU's work against cyber criminality will be an important component.

Read Cecilia Malmström's and Neelie Kroes' two proposals in full, watch today's press conference, and read more in the press release and in the two memos.

Malmström cautiously optimistic after meetings in Athens

28/09/2010

Greece has been having problems with their asylum system for a long time. With a long coast line that is also part of the EU border, Greece receives many refugees and asylum applicants, not least from Africa.

"The reception of asylum seekers does not work, people are being held under horrific conditions, and there are close to 50 000 people who have been waiting for years to get their asylum applications processed", says Cecilia Malmström and underlines that the European Commission has several ongoing so called infringement procedures against Greece as the country is violating EU law.
"The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has also been very critical towards the way people are being treated in Greece", she continues.

During her days in Greece, Cecilia Malmström visited a detention centre at Athens airport and met with Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou and several of his colleagues in the Greek government. She has also had conversations with representatives for non-governmental organisations, who in practice have taken over the work of the responsible authorities in giving support to asylum seekers.

According to Malmström, the Greek government seems determined to deal with the problem:
"The government has adopted a very ambitious action plan that the Commission fully supports. But now, it has to be implemented."

The European Commission and several Member States have offered to help Greece both financially and in the form of experts and other work force in order to contribute to building up the new asylum system from scratch.

Read the political declaration that was reached by the European Commission and Greece yesterday, about cooperating in reforming the Greek asylum system.

Focusing on European security research

23/09/2010

In her speech, Cecilia Malmström gave an overview of her work within this area, and especially mentioned the action-oriented Internal Security Strategy that is expected to be adopted later this fall.
"Such a strategy is needed more than ever. Addressing today's security challenges and threats only at the national or regional level is not sufficient anymore. We need a coherent and integrated strategy on how to ensure security within the whole of the EU", said Cecilia Malmström.

She further underlined the importance of research in security policy making:
"Besides setting policy priorities, we have to get better at following up on the results of the research. Without the link to developing the research into security we have not succeeded. This is clearly an area where we can, and will, improve", said Cecilia Malmström.

Read more on the conference on www.src10.be and read Cecilia Malmström's speech in full.

Principles for use of PNR data adopted

21/09/2010

"PNR data has proven to be an important tool in the fight against serious transnational crime and terrorism, but at the same time, it raises important issues about protection of personal data", said Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs. "The strategy we adopted today includes that use of PNR data must be limited to serious transnational crime and terrorism, that passengers should be given clear information about the exchange of their PNR data and have the right to see it, as well as the right to effective administrative and judical redress."

The package adopted today also includes recommendations for negotiating directives for new PNR agreements with the United States, Australia and Canada.

Watch the press conference, read the press release and the background information as well as the Communication from the Commission.

EU rules against home-made explosives

20/09/2010

The proposal that Cecilia Malmström puts forward today means that the producers must keep the concentration on an agreed EU level, but also that very large purchases of products containing these chemicals should be controlled.

While several legislative and non-legislative measures exist in EU Member States, there is no EU-wide control. The purpose of today's proposal is to prevent terrorists from taking advantage of existing differences in security rules among Member States.
"Terrorism finds new ways to operate, and we have seen that attacks are planned in one country to be perpetrated in another, but the EU can only be as strong as its weakest link", said Cecilia Malmström when presenting the proposal in Brussels today.

Watch the press conference, read the proposal in full and the press release, and get more information on the dangerous chemicals and when they have been used in the past.

Security and migration discussions in London

17/09/2010

Yesterday evening, Cecilia Malmström held a speech at a dinner organised by the Centre for European Reform. She spoke about her priorities for the years to come. One of which is the Internal Security Strategy that will be presented this Autumn, with suggestions for common actions on common challenges such as cross-border organised crime and terrorism.

Asylum and migration issues are also on the agenda:
"Europe should not let economic recession decrease its openness to the outside world, nor let it nurture racism and xenophobia", said Cecilia Malmström in her speech.

Together with Member States and the European Parliament, she is now working on moving forward in the negotiations on the EU asylum package.

The last stop during the London visit was Heathrow airport, where Cecilia Malmström met with the border control to see how they work with so called e-borders. In other words, the work they do to stop criminals and potential terrorists by using passenger data (Passenger Name Records).
"The European Council has asked the Commission to work on a suggestion for an EU PNR - something that we are now looking at. In that light, it is of course interesting to see how the British work", said Cecilia Malmström.

Malmström: "There is no corruption-free zone in Europe"

15/09/2010

In a recent study on corruption, the European Commission concludes that corruption is on the rise, or at best stagnating, in the EU as a whole. In her speech in the Parliament today, Cecilia Malmström gave an overview of the situation in the EU today, and what is needed in order to tackle corruption in the EU in the years to come.

"At present, the EU does not have a genuine common policy against corruption. The EU Member States have developed different forms of anti-corruption tools and do not engage in the fight against corruption to quite the same extent", said Cecilia Malmström. "Some of the national anti-corruption policies work better than others, but Member States are not necessarily informed about each other's successes and failures. There is clearly room for more peer learning and exchange of best practices."

The Commission is working on a proposal for how to better fight corruption within the EU. The proposal will be presented next year.
"Ultimately, we are responding to European citizens' expectations. We are acting for the benefit of a more honest, a more transparent and a more prosperous Europe", said Cecilia Malmström.

Read Cecilia Malmström's speech in full.

"Crucial moment for the Common Asylum System"

14/09/2010

"We find ourselves at a crucial moment in the establishment of the Common Asylum System. The decisions that we will take in the coming months will have an important impact on the hundreds of thousands of persons who apply for asylum in the EU, and on the many more, who already reside here as beneficiaries of international protection", said Cecilia Malmström in her speech.

The conference is named Quality and Efficiency in the Asylum Process, and Member States, EU institutions, the UN, as well as civil society are present. The scope is to swiftly move forward in the discussions in order to reach the goal of finalising a Common European Asylum System by 2012, as outlined in the Stockholm Programme.
 
"We have managed to take some steps forward", says Cecilia Malmström. "The commitment I have seen here today shows that we all recognise the problem of having diverging asylum procedures. It is not acceptable that asylum seekers in the EU will be received in one way in one Member State, but completely differently in another. Europe needs to step up its efforts and make sure that we get an efficient asylum system, where we treat those coming here with decency, dignity and in full respect of human rights."

Read more on the conference on the website of the Belgian EU Presidency, and read Cecilia Malmström's speech in full.

Significant differences in Member States' asylum procedures

08/09/2010

"There are still significant divergences among national asylum procedures and present rules fall short in preventing administrative errors: I call on the European Parliament and the Council to adopt the amendments that the Commission proposed in 2009 to remedy this situation", said European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström.

The Commission report will serve as a background to the discussions at the ministerial EU conference on asylum that will be held in Brussels on 13-14 September, where Cecilia Malmström will take part.

Read more on the report in the press release and read the report in full.

Autumn's work begins

02/09/2010

- In the continued work of bringing Europe back from the crisis and creating more jobs and growth, we must use our resources wisely and in a strategic way. That means a more modern budget than today, said Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.

The Commissioners also discussed the issue of the roma situation in Europe:
- The Commission will put together a working group in order to analyse what we have done for the roma so far, how we better can use our financial resources, and where the biggest challenges are. The group will present a report later this autumn, said Cecilia Malmström.

Footnote: It was in Val Duchesse that Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Italy conferred between June 1956 and Mars 1957, which led to the signing of the Rome Treaty a few months later.

Independent TFTP overseer appointed

27/08/2010

“I am very pleased to announce that the European Commission has now appointed an interim independent overseer of Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme searches. This person is responsible on an interim basis for the oversight and monitoring of financial payment messaging, which is necessary for the purpose of prevention, investigation, detection, or prosecution of terrorism or terrorist financing,” said Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner in charge of Home Affairs.

The overseer is placed in Washington, and has started working. The interim solution will shortly be replaced by a person holding a permanent post, in accordance with Article 12 of the agreement.

Read the statement in full and read more on the TFTP agreement.

One step closer towards visa-free travel to Brazil

06/08/2010

"Once these agreements enter into force, they will have real positive impact on the everyday life of our citizens, especially of the citizens of Estonia, Latvia, Malta and Cyprus which for the time being still need a visa to travel to Brazil", said EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström.

The draft decisions have to be approved by the Council before they can enter into force. Read more in the press release.

Malmström concerned about new fee for travels to the US

06/08/2010

Mrs Malmström made the statement following an announcement from the U.S. Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection who today published the interim rule on an administrative fee of 14 US dollars for travelers to the United States. The new fee will become effective on 8 September 2010.

Read Cecilia Malmström's statement in full.

EURODAC annual report issued

03/08/2010

EURODAC is a European database for storage of so called biometric data. The purpose is to facilitate the implementation of the Dublin regulation, which is the regulatory framework that decides the Member State responsible for examining an asylum application.

"EURODAC is an essential part of the EU's Common European Asylum System. The report published today shows the effective contribution of this EU-wide fingerprint database in managing asylum applications, by helping to establish which Member State should examine each of them through the storage and comparison of the fingerprints of asylum seekers and illegal entrants and preventing the submission of multiple asylum requests", " stated Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner responsible for Home Affairs.

Read more in the press release or read the report in full.

EU review of information sharing systems

20/07/2010

"EU citizens have the right to know what personal data are kept about them. This provides a good overview of the different instruments we have in Europe. At the same time, it is an opportunity to establish a set of principles for how our policy should develop in this area", said Cecilia Malmström.

To present this overview was one of the first decisions Cecilia Malmström made as newly appointed EU Commissioner for Home Affairs earlier this spring. This has also been called for by the European Parliament. The overview covers several areas, such as the data needed within the Schengen cooperation, visa issues, the EU asylum and migration policy and the fight against organised crime and terrorism.

"I will now review each one of these instruments, by their own as well as in relation to the bigger picture, and evaluate them against the principles we have set out. Among other things, I want to ensure that all of these instruments are proportionate, that they respect the fundamental rights, and I also want to investigate the possibilities to introduce so called sunset clauses, which means that legislation automatically ends after a certain number of years", said Cecilia Malmström.

Today, Cecilia Malmström also presented a stocktaking of the EU's work to fight terrorism in order to outline the instruments already in place, what has been achieved, and in which areas further action is needed.

Read more on the two reviews via the links below.

"Important to move forward in asylum discussions"

15/07/2010

The Belgian EU Presidency, having asylum and migration as one of its priorities, arranges its first informal Justice and Home Affairs council meeting in Brussels today and tomorrow. Today, the Ministers for Migration and the Interior meet, and tomorrow is the meeting of the EU's Ministers for Justice. Thursday morning was spent discussing the future EU asylum system.

"How to design the common asylum system is complicated, and there are large differences in opinion between Member States on how it should be structured. We had the opportunity today to touch base and identify the difficulties we face as well as the areas where we agree and can move forward. It is important that we continue to work towards establishing a common asylum system by 2012, as previously agreed by Member States ", said Cecilia Malmström.

The future common EU asylum system will be one of the key priorities for Cecilia Malmström this fall.

Crime prevention in the EU was the topic for discussion during the afternoon. Read more on the informal council meeting on the website of the Belgian EU Presidency.

Malmström proposes EU coordination of labour migration

13/07/2010

The proposals seek to establish a common framework for conditions of entry and stay for two types of workers: seasonal workers and so called intra-corporate transferees.

Seasonal workers are workers from non-EU countries coming to EU Member States to work for a shorter period of time in season-driven sectors such as agriculture, horticulture and tourism. With today's regulations, this type of temporary workforce is often subject to exploitation and to conditions that put their health and safety in danger.
"People are taken to Europe under sometimes horrible conditions to work for very little pay. We witnessed the tragic riots in Rosarno earlier this year, and we need to protect these people and prevent these things from happening again. Therefore I am now introducing a special procedure for entry and residence for seasonal workers, as well as clarifying what rights they should have while staying in Europe", said Cecilia Malmström.

A quite different type of non-EU workers is called intra-corporate transferees. They are key personnel in multinational companies who get transferred on a temporary basis to a branch or subsidiary of their own company in an EU Member State. Up until now, businesses have been facing an array of 27 sets of rules and regulations and often lengthy procedures to manage this type of transfers. With today's proposal, companies would get access to the right people with the right skills at the right time, while the intra-corporate transferees themselves would get more attractive residence conditions, more flexible rules for bringing their families to Europe, a clear legal status and they would more easily be able to move in between Member States if that is required for carrying out their work.

"As acknowledged in the EU 2020 Strategy, migration can play an important role in filling labour shortages, fuelling economic growth and helping Europe to maintain our economic and social welfare and strengthen our competitiveness. In light of the demographic challenge the EU is facing, where our active population is forecasted to start falling already in 2013, we need immigrant workers in order to secure our economic survival. I will continue to take more steps towards a more inclusive labour migration policy for the EU in the coming years", said Cecilia Malmström.

Read more on the two proposals below and watch a video on the proposal for the Seasonal Workers Directive.

Parliament in favour of agreement on fight against terrorism

08/07/2010

The TFTP agreement has been high on Cecilia Malmström's agenda ever since she took office on 10 February. That was the same day as the Parliament voted no to a previous version of the text, arguing that it did not sufficiently protect the privacy of EU citizens.
"That very same day I made a clear commitment to the European Parliament and to the EU citizens to find a solution to this difficult situation. I kept the commitment and I delivered on it. Today's vote shows the progress made thanks to the efforts of all the people involved in the negotiations both on the EU and the US side", said Cecilia Malmström.

The European Parliament voted by 484 in favour and 109 against, while 12 refrained from voting. The agreement will enter into force on 1 August 2010.

Read more in Cecilia Malmström's statement and see the press conference. See also the TFTP agreement in full as well as an overview of what have changed in the newly adopted agreement compared to the one that was rejected by the Parliament in February.

Malmström visited asylum training

05/07/2010

EAC is a programme initiated by Member States and co-funded by the European Commission. The purpose is to strengthen practical cooperation between asylum and immigration systems in EU Member States, to increase harmonisation of asylum decisions, and to streamline the way asylum seekers are being received across the EU.

"It was very interesting and useful to attend one of EAC's training sessions. Today, discrepancies between Member States are too big; it is not acceptable that asylum seekers get different decisions depending on in which EU country they submit their asylum application. One of my main priorities during the years to come is to work towards getting a common European asylum and migration policy in place, and in that I think this initiative is a very useful tool in order to harmonise the national asylum systems within the EU", said Cecilia Malmström after the training session.

Earlier today, Commissioner Malmström also participated in a debate on EU immigration and asylum policy at the Université Libre in Brussels.

Read more on EAC.

No more short-term visa for Taiwan

05/07/2010

"I am glad to be able to put forward this proposal, which I hope will contribute towards strengthening EU-Taiwan relations. Not least since the EU is Taiwan's fourth largest trading partner", said Cecilia Malmström.

The proposal states that Taiwanese citizens staying in the EU for 90 days or less are not required to apply for a visa. It is now in the hands of the European Parliament and the Council to decide whether this proposal will enter into force.

Read more in the press release.

Focusing on asylum

02/07/2010

"Sexual exploitation of children is the worst form of abuse"

01/07/2010

"Let me start by clearly stating that child pornography is not one type of pornography in the ordinary sense. Child pornography is about sexual abuse of children. And it is about the worst forms of abuse on the most vulnerable citizens, the children. Studies show that the children abused are getting younger and younger and that the offences are getting more severe", said Cecilia Malmström.

She continued by stating that the EU will do everything in its power to fight this crime, outlining the measures that need to be taken. Read Cecilia Malmström's speech in full.

Agreement signed on fight against terrorism

28/06/2010

Spain's Minister of Interior Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba and the Chargé d'affaires of the US Mission to the EU Michael Dodman signed the agreement during a joint press conference. Michael Dodman underlined that the agreement is "very strong", and that it is important for the security of both the United States and Europe at the same time as it furthers the transatlantic relations.
"This is an important instrument in order to combat terrorism", emphasized Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba.

In the debate on the TFTP agreement (Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme), the European Parliament has had some objections – among other things arguing that there has been insufficient protection of the integrity of EU citizens. However, both Rubalcaba and Malmström underlined that the European Parliament objections had been taken into account in the agreement that has now been signed.
"This agreement ensures protection of personal data while maintaining a counter-terrorism programme that has saved lives and will continue to save lives in the US, in Europe and elsewhere as well", said Cecilia Malmström.

It is now up to the European Parliament to decide on the future of the TFTP agreement. A majority of the MEP's must approve of the text in order for the agreement to enter into force. The next possibility for the European Parliament to vote is during the plenary session on 5-8 July.

Read the Council decision with the agreement in full, and see today's press conference with Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, Michael Dodman and Cecilia Malmström.

Malmström speaks on asylum and integration

24/06/2010

ECRE is a pan-European network of refugee-assisting non-governmental organisations. The theme of today's conference is Current Challenges and Opportunities in harmonising asylum and migration and the role of Civil Society. Cecilia Malmström underlined the role of civil society as a reference point for the Commission when developing its policies - not least in the work of implementing the initiatives that are outlined in the Stockholm Programme.

"We have a lot of work to do. The challenges ahead are multiple, but I am ready to engage in a constructive dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society. The current economic crisis cannot be an excuse not to fulfil the commitments we have subscribed to," said Cecilia Malmström.

Earlier today Cecilia Malmström also participated in the conference European Integration Forum. In her speech, she said:

"Last week, the European Council adopted the EU 2020 Strategy for jobs and growth, which outlines how the EU can become more competitive in the future. It states that the employment rate should reach 75 percent and this has to be encouraged, among other things, through better integration of legal migrants."

The conference marks the beginning of a two-month consultation period, during which civil society organisations will be able to send suggestions to the European Commission on how they see EU integration policy in the future.

Read Cecilia Malmström's speeches at the ECRE Conference as well as the European Integration Forum.

Cecilia Malmström pleased with Bosnia and Herzegovina

22/06/2010

After several years of visa cooperation, the European Commission proposed on 27 May this year an agreement on visa liberalisation with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania. It is a conditional agreement, listing the requirements the countries still have to meet in order to reach full visa liberalisation with the EU. In a few weeks, an expert mission from the EU Commission goes to Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to assess whether the country has managed to implement all the changes that the Commission has requested. During today's meeting in Brussels, Cecilia Malmström got a report on the state of play so far.
"Ahmetovic gave an overview of how far Bosnia and Herzegovina has come up to now, in particular in the area of fight against organised crime where they have done a lot to improve coordination of information sharing between the police and other authorities. They have come a long way; I am pleased with the progress so far", said Cecilia Malmström after the meeting.

Malmström underlined that there is still work to be done in order for the visa liberalisation agreement to come into force.
"They seem to have clear goals and visions of the remaining reformation process. I hope that we will soon be able to see further progress so that we can reach our common goal and remove visa obligations between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina before the end of the year", said Cecilia Malmström.

Read more on the visa liberalisation agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania.

Cecilia Malmström in Berlin

21/06/2010

"We have discussed issues of common interest, such as the EU's continued work for a common asylum and migration policy, visa issues and the EU's fight against terrorism. It has been constructive discussions", said Cecilia Malmström.

One fourth of asylum seekers in the EU are children

18/06/2010

60 500 people, or almost a fourth of those who sought protection in the EU last year were minors, and more than 12 000 of them were children unaccompanied by an adult.
"The large number of unaccompanied minors shows how important it is that the EU takes this matter very seriously. And we know that the real number of unaccompanied minors coming to Europe is even larger as most of them don't apply for asylum and are therefore not present in the statistics. This is a very vulnerable group that EU needs to prioritise. In May, I put forward an action plan with a code of conduct for EU Member States, outlining how the EU should receive these children. I will continue that work in order to ensure that we always keep the best interests of the child at heart", says EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström.

According to Eurostat, the EU granted asylum to 78 800 people in 2009, compared with 75 100 in 2008. Most asylum seekers come from Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and the EU countries that granted the highest number of people protection status were the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands.

Read more on the Eurostat report, as well as the Action Plan for unaccompanied minors and Cecilia Malmström's and EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva's joint statement ahead of the World Refugee Day on 20 June 2010.

"Europe needs immigration to survive"

17/06/2010

"In order for the EU to be able to maintain and strengthen its competitiveness, we need to work on many fronts. One of them, which will also be one of my main priorities in the years to come, is to ensure Europe's growth through immigration. With an aging and decreasing population, Europe needs labour immigration to be able to meet the demographic challenges of the future. In other words, Europe needs immigration to survive. Therefore, we need to find more legal ways to the EU", says Cecilia Malmström.

Read more on the EU2020 Strategy.

Easier for Georgians to get visas

17/06/2010

"The agreement is part of a more long-term work to remove the visa requirements fully for Georgian citizens in the future", said Cecilia Malmström.

Read more in the press release.

Agreement adopted on fight against terrorism

15/06/2010

During a press conference in Strasbourg, where the Commission today had their weekly meeting, Cecilia Malmström recalled her first day on the job as EU Commissioner for Home Affairs. She was then immediately confronted with TFTP, as the Interim Agreement was voted down by the European Parliament.
"This is an issue I have been working on since my very first day, when I presented a draft to the European Parliament. I said then that the text was not perfect, and I promised the Parliament to seek to improve the text. I am therefore glad to be back here in Strasbourg to present a renegotiated draft agreement that contains considerably stronger guarantees to ensure protection of EU citizens' data", said Cecilia Malmström. 

Read the draft agreement in full below. For more information on TFTP, see today's press conference, read the press release and the memo outlining the changes from the previous to the present draft agreement.

Commission opens up for visa dialogue with Moldova

15/06/2010

"A future visa-free travel regime would further facilitate people-to-people contacts and strengthen economic, societal and cultural ties between the EU and Moldova", said EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström.

Since 1 January 2008, there is already a visa facilitation and readmission agreement in place between the EU and the Republic of Moldova. Read more on the visa dialogue in the press release.

Schengen celebrates 25th anniversary

11/06/2010

"In 1985, Europe was still made up of borders. Our continent was divided in East and West and free movement - that we today practically take for granted - was something only to dream about. Today, we can study, work, travel and move hassle-free from one European country to another. The possibilities for citizens to meet have had tremendous meaning for European integration, but above all it has facilitated the everyday lives for us Europeans", says Cecilia Malmström.

Read more in Cecilia Malmström's statement and in the Memo on Schengen's history.

"Considerable improvements in TFTP draft agreement"

10/06/2010

Defending the so called TFTP agreement (Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme) in the European Parliament was the task Cecilia Malmström was challenged with on her very first day as Commissioner for Home Affairs in February. The European Parliament voted no to the draft agreement that was then discussed. Concerns were raised on insufficient protection of data and a worrying lack of respect for integrity issues – issues that Malmström then took into account in the renegotiation process with the US.
"I believe that this new draft agreement is very largely in line with the Council Mandate and it takes account of the key points of the Parliament's resolution. I think we can all be proud of the result", said Cecilia Malmström.

Cecilia Malmström underlined that the data included in the TFTP are anonymous:
"The anonymisation of data can only be lifted when regarding persons directly linked to ongoing police investigations. Other data will remain anonymous."

Some of the bigger changes in the new draft agreement are stronger data protection guarantees, non-discriminatory right to redress, and the appointment of an independent EU person who will permanently monitor the US work within this field.

The draft TFTP agreement is to be adopted by the European Commission on Tuesday next week. After that, it is up to the European Parliament and the Council to decide on whether they want to endorse the draft agreement and adopt it. Read more on TFTP, watch today's press briefing, and read Cecilia Malmström's press statement.

Malmström impressed by integration in Lund

08/06/2010

Cecilia Malmström to southern Sweden

04/06/2010

Furthermore, Cecilia Malmström will participate in a seminar at Malmö stadsbibliotek on how the EU deals with organised crime. The seminar will be open to the public and to the media.

"I hope the Parliament votes before the summer"

04/06/2010

"During lunch, I had the possibility to report on the negotiations, which are now almost completed. There were some questions, but overall I got great support for the new agreement", said Cecilia Malmström. "I hope that the European Parliament will be able to vote before the summer."

During the meeting, discussions were also held on terrorism and security, on better tools for combating smuggling of drugs, as well as on the suggestions that Cecilia Malmström recently put forward on unaccompanied minors.
"The action plan on unaccompanied minors received great support. The ministers also endorsed the Commission's ambitions to move forward with the ambitions to grant visa liberalisation to Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina this fall, provided that the two countries fulfil the last criteria", said Cecilia Malmström.

Read more about TFTP, unaccompanied minors and the Council meeting.

Intensive days in Washington

03/06/2010

"We have had intensive days with rewarding discussions", said Cecilia Malmström. "We have made clear progress in the negotiations and the US has taken several important steps to improve the protection of data and to increase the possibility of redress. I will now report on the negotiations to the Interior Ministers and to the European Parliament."

During her visit, Cecilia Malmström also discussed cyber crime with the White House coordinator Howard Schmidt and trafficking in human beings with Luis CdeBaca, responsible for these issues at the US State Department.

Cecilia Malmström participates in Justice and Home Affairs Council

03/06/2010

The Council is expected to reach conclusions on the Action Plan for the Stockholm Programme, which was adopted by the European Commission on 20 April 2010.

Among the other issues to be discussed on 3 June are the Action Plan on Unaccompanied Minors, the follow-up on the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum, and the state of play and indicative timeline for the second generation of the Schengen Information System. The 4 June, the directive on combating trafficking of human beings is on the agenda, as well as several issues that fall under Vice-President Viviane Reding's portfolio.

For more information on the Council meeting, please see the memo, as well as the background note and agenda provided by the Council.

Stricter rules against illicit trafficking of firearms

31/05/2010

The content of the proposal is legislation to combat illicit arms trafficking through improved tracing and control of imports and exports of civilian firearms from and to the EU. The adoption of the proposal would bring the EU legislation in line with Article 10 of the UN Firearms Protocol.

The proposal is based on the principle that firearms and related items should not be transferred between States without the knowledge and consent of all States involved. The proposed regulation applies only to firearms, their parts and essential components and ammunition for civilian use: firearms intended for military purposes are not concerned. Moreover it only addresses trade and transfers with countries outside the EU; transfers of firearms within the Union are regulated by other EU law.

For more information, read the press release and the memo.

Cecilia Malmström to Washington

31/05/2010

The European Commission is currently in negotiations with the US about a new agreement on the Terrorist Financing Tracking Programme (TFTP). The negotiations are based on the mandate adopted by the Council in April. The negotiation mandate includes that extracted data must be limited to strict counter-terrorism purposes and foresees mechanisms to ensure a proper use.

EU opens for visa-free travel for Abanians and Bosnians

27/05/2010

"This is a very important part of the European Union policy towards integration of the western Balkans. To facilitate people to people contact brings us closer to each other", said Cecilia Malmström during the press conference in Brussels earlier today.

Malmström congratulated the two countries as she underlined that today's proposal is the result of hard work from the authorities, public administrations and the citizens of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, some requirements still need to be met in the area of visa facilitation, for both countries. The Commission will continue to monitor the remaining work in the months to come.

See the press conference  and read the press release for more information.

Malmström in talks on border control and fight against organised crime

27/05/2010

"The very reason we are here today is our shared objective of abolishing internal border controls between the Member States. The so called Schengen area covers 25 countries by now and by the time my mandate as Commissioner expires we will perhaps have reached 30 countries", said Cecilia Malmström in her speech at the conference 'European Day for Border Guards' in Warsaw.
She continued:
"We have come this far thanks to mutual trust, solidarity and a true European approach. But it would not be credible to say that all the right tools and all the right laws are now in place, once and for all. The EU needs to commit to continuous improvements and be ready to adapt to new challenges and an ever changing reality."

In Kazan, Cecilia Malmström met with the Russian minister for Justice Alexander Konovalov.
"We have had good and constructive discussions, but we don't agree on everything. Russia is eager to reach visa facilitation agreements with the EU, while we on the EU side believe that there are some remaining issues that needs attention before that is possible. We also discussed police cooperation and increased collaboration in combating drugs, trafficking and corruption. I raised the issues of human rights, respect for the rule of law and data protection, where Russia needs to make more effort to live up to international and EU standards", said Cecilia Malmström.

Read Cecilia Malmström's speech in full below.
More photos.

Border control, visa issues and organised crime on the agenda in Poland and Russia

25/05/2010

EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström is in Warsaw today to participate in a conference on Border Guards. Other participants are Ilkka Laitinen, director for the border control agency Frontex, and Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, Interior Minister of Spain. After the conference, Cecilia Malmström will continue to Kazan in Russia. There, she will represent the EU together with representatives for the rotating EU presidency, in a partnership meeting between the EU and Russia. This will be the twelfth meeting on Justice and Home Affairs within the permanent partnership between the EU and Russia.

"Russia is an important partner for Europe. It is vital that we have a constructive dialogue on common issues where we need to cooperate, such as drug trade and trafficking in human beings. Furthermore, Russia wants to move forward in their talks with the EU on visa facilitation agreements; something that we from the EU side regards as closely connected with a list of demands and criteria", said Cecilia Malmström. "In the discussions with my Russian colleagues, I will also bring up the importance of respecting fundamental rights and the rule of law."

Read more on Frontex, border management, visa issues and the fight against organised crime.

Resettlement and Schengen discussions in European Parliament

19/05/2010

The Schengen Information System, or SIS II as it is often called, is a data registration system for visa applications within the Schengen area. Read more about SIS II.

"The establishment of a joint EU resettlement programme has been proposed by the European Commission as a way for Member States to pool resources and quota programmes so that we can become more efficient in making lives easier for the most vulnerable and exposed refugees living in camps in different parts of the world", explained Cecilia Malmström.

The resettlement programme is voluntary, but most Member States have said that they will participate. The Commission will provide financial support.

Read more on the results from the plenary session of the European Parliament.

Cecilia Malmström in the European Parliament

17/05/2010

Read more on the plenary session of the European Parliament.
Read more on the Schengen Information System and the European Refugee Fund.

Cecilia Malmström speaks at the Security and Defence Agenda Roundtable

11/05/2010

Meetings with Ministers for Foreign Affairs from Ukraine and Turkey

10/05/2010

"Both Ukraine and Turkey want visa liberalisation with the EU and the Commission supports them in their efforts", said Cecilia Malmström. "They must however, as any other country, fulfil a number of criteria in order to make this possible."

Read more on visa policy

Malmström takes action on unaccompanied minors

06/05/2010

Unaccompanied minors seeking refuge in the EU is a growing challenge. The statistics are not comprehensive since the only data available is on those minors unaccompanied by an adult who applies for asylum in an EU Member State; the total number of unaccompanied minors entering the EU is supposedly much higher. The number of asylum seekers has, however, increased over the last years. Data from Eurostat indicate that in 2009, 10 960 unaccompanied minors lodged applications for asylum in 22 Member States. That is an increase by 13 percent compared to the previous year.

"This is a very important European challenge. The Action Plan is the first step in finding a common EU approach on how to deal with this issue. The basic principle is that these are children, and that they should be treated as children. It is paramount that all EU Member States do what they can to protect them", said Cecilia Malmström.

The Action Plan proposes common standards for guardianship and legal representation, and it states that a decision on the future of each unaccompanied minor is taken by the competent authorities as soon as possible, preferably within six months. The Plan is based on ten principles that the EU is to base is common approach on. Three strands for action have been identified: prevention of unsafe migration and trafficking, reception and procedural guarantees in the EU and identification of durable solutions.

Read more on the Action Plan and the comparative EU study carried out by the European Migration Network below.

Malmström speaks on child safety on the Internet

06/05/2010

Strengthened visa cooperation with Georgia

05/05/2010

The draft agreements would make it easier for Georgian citizens to apply for visas; they make procedures faster, reduce paperwork and lower visa fees. At the same time, the readmission agreement would ensure the return of those who stay illegally in the EU.

"This is a way for the EU to reduce barriers to its neighbouring countries. I support visa facilitation for Georgia and I hope these agreements will result in bringing people closer to one another", said Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.

Before the visa facilitation and readmission agreements can be implemented, they need to be endorsed European Parliament and the Council. Read more in the press release below.

Strong impressions from Rome and Valletta

03/05/2010

"I visited some of the Maltese migration centres that have been in the limelight recently. It was depressing in many ways. The living conditions are very simple and the people living there are young men and women watching their lives go by as they wait for decisions on where to go next. Malta is a small country playing a key role for people in search for a better future in Europe. That is why we need to make sure that everyone who comes to Europe are treated in a decent manner and in full respect of human rights", said Cecilia Malmström.

Malmström also underlined the importance of giving those that have been granted asylum the possibility to start a new life:

"I had long conversations with Malta's Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici on how the Commission can support the Maltese authorities in improving integration and living conditions for these immigrants."

In Rome, Cecilia Malmström visited a rehabilitation centre for torture victims. She also met with Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini and discussed the Commission's proposals on EU harmonised asylum procedures.

See more photos

Cecilia Malmström's speech in the Italian Parliament

"Put a stop to the mosaic of asylum systems"

28/04/2010

"Mr Guterres is concerned about the fact that EU Member States deals with asylum applications in disparate ways. At the same time, he underlined that he supports the new Commission proposals in this field", said Cecilia Malmström. "We had very constructive discussions, and we agree on the urgent need to get a common European asylum system in place as soon as possible."

"It is very important that we move forward and implement a common asylum system with the same procedures, to the benefit of both asylum seekers and Member States. This is one of my main concerns in the coming years", said Cecilia Malmström.

Cecilia Malmström to Rome and Valletta

28/04/2010

On 29-30 April, Cecilia Malmström will visit Rome and Valletta. There, she will meet with Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini, Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Malta's Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici as well as other politicians and representatives from civil society. On the agenda are also visits to refugee and rescue coordination centres.

Cecilia Malmström welcomes agreement on negotiation mandate for TFTP

23/04/2010

CIWIN – a pilot for terrorism prevention and protection

23/04/2010

CIWIN stands for Critical Infrastructure Warning Information Network. It is a secure information technology and information-sharing system that will be tested in its pilot phase for six months, starting today. During this time, EU Member States, EEA countries and the European Commission will be able to use the system as a platform for the exchange of good practices and other critical infrastructure protection related information.

"In our modern times, infrastructure is absolutely vital in order for our societies to function. I think the experience from this last week shows quite clearly how vulnerable we are. A volcano ash cloud has stopped flights in Europe for a week, causing problems for citizens as well as businesses. It proves that we need to be better prepared in other areas as well, so that we don't suffer too much damage in case of other threats in the future", said Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström."We need to get better at sharing information between Member States so that we can learn from best practices around Europe. Therefore, I welcome the launch of CIWIN. It represents one of the cornerstones in our fight against terrorism. During this test period, I hope that Member States will test the system properly and give us their valuable input so that we can further improve the system in its final version."

Police exchange programme on the agenda

23/04/2010

Justice and Home Affairs ministers from all EU's Member States agreed today to set up an exchange programme for police officers for studies, mutual learning, and pooling of knowledge and best practices. Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said she welcomed the adoption of the Council conclusions, and underlined the importance of this exchange programme as a tool in strengthening the EU as an area of freedom, security and justice.

"This is an excellent way of developing cooperation between police forces all across Europe in real practical terms, out on the field. By exchanging ideas and working methods, we also promote mobility and mutual trust within the European Union. This will be key in our further development of EU measures to fight organised cross-border crime. I am very much looking forward to see the results from this project", said Cecilia Malmström.

The project will be implemented by the European Police College, CEPOL. It is planned to run from 2011-2014.

CEPOL

Cecilia Malmström to Justice and Home Affairs Council

22/04/2010

On the agenda for the Council is also to:

- Adopt a mandate to negotiate a long term Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme with the US.

- Discuss the state of play of the Schengen Information System (SIS II)

- Adopt conclusions to set up an Erasmus for police officers

Concrete actions for a free and secure Europe

20/04/2010

Last December, European leaders endorsed 170 initiatives known as the Stockholm Programme. The programme is aimed at creating a genuine European area of freedom, security and justice in the next five years. The Commission has now turned these political objectives into concrete actions with set timetables for the years 2010-2014.

"The Stockholm Programme Action PLan is a way to respond concretely to the citizens's concerns. We know for instance that fighting cross-border crime ranks very high in what citizens expect the EU to do. That is why we have to put concrete proposals and deliver, " Cecilia Malmström said today.

Read more below.

Delivering an area of freedom, security and justice for Europe's citizens - press conference

20/04/2010

Integration discussions in Zaragoza

16/04/2010

"The current economic and financial crisis has placed immigration and integration among the highest of European priorities. With almost 23 million people unemployed in the European Union, it is easy to consider that migrants from outside the EU are no longer needed. However, this conclusion is wrong. We are facing demographic challenges that will remain far beyond the economic crisis. A less open Europe would simply make our social model unsustainable. With an ageing society, the contribution of migrants is critical", she said.

The work of the Zaragoza conference encompassed several issues, such as the developing of human capital through employment and education, the social cohesion in neighbourhoods and areas with a high rate of immigrant population, the role of civil society in the mutual adaptation process that the integration of immigrants entails, and the general evaluation of integration policies.

Ministerial conference in Zaragoza

09/04/2010

EU-US ministerial meeting on Justice and Home Affairs in Madrid

07/04/2010

Commissioner Malmström meets with ECRE and Amnesty International

06/04/2010

EU Visa Code becomes applicable

30/03/2010

As from 5 April, the EU Visa Code adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in June 2009, will become applicable. The Visa Code gathers into a single document all legal provisions governing decisions on visas. It increases the transparency, develops legal security and ensures equal treatment of applicants while harmonising rules and practices for the Schengen States (22 Member States and 3 associated states) applying the common visa polic.

For stronger sanctions against child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and child pornography

29/03/2010

Today's proposal would make it easier to fight these crimes through different tools:

• by providing severe criminal sanctions across the EU for sexual abuse and exploitation, as they are serious crimes. New forms of abuse will also be covered, like 'grooming' - luring children through internet and abusing them, viewing child pornography without downloading files or making children pose sexually in front of webcams.

• "Sex tourists" travelling abroad to abuse children will face prosecution when they come home.

• Child victims will be protected against additional trauma resulting from interviews by law enforcement and judicial authorities, or having to be exposed in front of the public in court, and will be helped by a free lawyer.

• Every offender should be assessed individually and offered tailor-made treatment so that they don't abuse again.

• Prohibitions on activities involving contact with children imposed on offenders should be effective not just in the country where they were convicted but across the EU.

• Member States will be obliged to ensure that access to websites containing child pornography can be blocked, as they are very difficult to take down at the source, especially if the site is outside the EU. The proposal will leave it to Member States to decide exactly how the blocking should be implemented but legal safeguards will always apply.

The proposal will now be discussed in the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers and once approved should be translated into national legislations.

Proposal to strengthen the fight against trafficking in human beings

29/03/2010

The rules proposed by the European Commission today would oblige EU Member States to act on the three fronts of prosecuting criminals responsible for trafficking human beings, protecting the victims and preventing the offences. The Commission will also soon take steps to appoint an EU "Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinator to make the EU anti-trafficking policy more efficient, visible and coherent, including in relation to addressing root causes and working with third countries

The proposal would increase consistency among national rules on crimes and penalties. Offenders would face charges even if they commit crimes abroad. Investigative tools used to fight organised crime should be made available to police and judicial authorities.

Victims would receive accommodation, medical care to help them recover and witness protection so that they are not afraid to testify against their perpetrators. They would also receive legal aid throughout the proceedings including for the purpose of claiming financial compensation.

To do more to prevent human trafficking, the proposal envisages raising awareness of potential victims on the risks of falling pray to traffickers, and of public officials to detect cases of trafficking and deal with them. It encourages sanctions against persons who knowingly employ or buy services from trafficking victims. It would also establish bodies in Member States to monitor implementation of these actions.

Press conference : Human trafficking and child pornography

29/03/2010

Commissioner Cecilia Malmström to visit Stockholm

24/03/2010

Draft mandate for negotiations with US on transfer of bank data for counter-terrorism purposes

24/03/2010

Today's proposal would give the Commission a mandate to negotiate a strong level of protection of personal data. It would also commit it to keeping the European Parliament fully informed at all stages of negotiations. The Commission wants to complete an agreement this summer to limit gaps in security.

Inclusion of Greece in the US Visa Waiver Programme: statement of Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Home Affairs

10/03/2010

For a stronger EU border management agency

24/02/2010

The proposals include reinforcing the legal framework to ensure full respect of fundamental rights during Frontex activities and enhancing the operational capacity of Frontex to support Member States. With the new proposal Member States would put more equipment and more personnel at the Agency's disposal. Frontex would be able to co-lead border patrols operations with EU Member States. It would also be allowed to provide technical assistance to third countries and deploy liaison officers in third countries.

Justice and Home Affairs Council

24/02/2010

Main agenda items in the Home Affairs area:

EU Strategy in the field of internal security

The adoption of an Internal Security Strategy for the EU is a priority for the Union. The strategy deals with cross border crime threats in the EU, from terrorism and organised crime to trafficking in human beings and child pornography.

The Commission supports the current text of the Strategy which brings together all aspects of security for the first time since the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty. Citizens care about their security and expect governments to provide the necessary measures to ensure it. Citizens also want their fundamental rights, particularly their right to privacy, to be respected.

Following the adoption of the Internal Security Strategy, the Commission will adopt a Communication which will include action-oriented proposals.

 

European Pact against Drug Trafficking

In 2008, the total number of people in the EU who use drugs - or have at some time taken them - was estimated at 70 million for cannabis, at least 12 million for cocaine, 9.5 million for ecstasy and 11 million for amphetamines, while at least half a million people are known to be receiving substitution treatment for heroin. There were up to 2 million problem drug users in the EU in 2008.

The European Pact against Drug Trafficking to be discussed during the Council would build a common EU approach with a more targeted response to the threat of drug trafficking, focusing on specific illegal drugs and routes and dealing with cocaine and heroin (but also synthetic drugs and cannabis). EU Member States will be able to reinforce coordination and cooperation according to their own specific problems and capacity.

 

Commission proposal to strengthen Frontex's operational capabilities

The proper management of the EU's external borders is a key part of maintaining a single area of free movement within them. The Commission adopted today a draft regulation amending the current Frontex regulation as foreseen in the Stockholm Programme. It aims to strengthen cooperation and coordination between EU countries and provide for a stronger and better-equipped Frontex.

Libya suspension of visa delivery to EU citizens from Schengen countries

16/02/2010

"The European Commission deplores the unilateral and disproportionate decision by Libyan authorities to suspend the delivery of visas to EU Schengen countries' citizens. The Commission also regrets that travellers who legally obtained visas before the suspension measure were refused entry when arriving in Libya. The issue will be discussed before the end of the week by the European Commission, the EU Member States and the Schengen associated countries in the framework of the Visa group, which will consider the appropriate reaction".

EP votes against the EU-US provisional agreement on transfer of bank data for counter-terrorism purposes

11/02/2010

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström stated: "I remain convinced that the programme enhances the security of our citizens: it would be the role of the Commission to make sure that all the relevant safeguards for EU citizens' privacy and data protection are duly included in any possible future agreement. In spite of this set back, I hope we will be able to agree a text in the near future that will give us greater security, more data protection and a useful cooperation tool with US authorities. Following today's vote in the European Parliament, we will have now to reflect together with our US partners on the possible negotiation of a new agreement. My hope is to achieve a new agreement with very ambitious safeguards for privacy and data protection. This way I believe we can build trust in the system used for tracking terrorist finances, and gain wide support for it on both sides of the Atlantic. We need to cooperate with our US partners in order to fight terrorism effectively, and enhance security for our citizens. This must be done - and can be done - while ensuring the protection of civil liberties and fundamental rights."

First day at work

10/02/2010

Welcome to my website!

10/02/2010

In the years to come, Europe will have to tackle a large number of tough challenges. My colleagues and I will, however, do our utmost to live up to the show of confidence we have received.

Within my own area of competence - EU internal affairs - there are a number of difficult, but very interesting issues that should be dealt with urgently. I intend to further develop a common immigration and asylum policy, while simultaneously creating a legal system for immigration to Europe. An internal security strategy, based on respect of fundamental rights and solidarity between Member States, is another important priority.

The five years to come will be a big challenge. I am very much looking forward to start working for a secure and safe Europe, where freedom and personal integrity of each individual will be guaranteed at all times. You are invited to follow my work on this website and in case you have any questions, or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact me or my team.

Cecilia Malmström