Connecting Policy and Practice: DG NEAR's Annual Training on Justice, Security, and Migration

The event was organised around four sessions addressing rule of law, the fight against organised crime, the EU's external dimension of migration and the fight against corruption. Each session presented recent developments in terms of EU acquis and was accompanied by real-life examples of implementation in Neighbourhood countries.

On migration, DG HOME provided an overview of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted in June 2024, highlighting its realistic impacts and implications. The Commissioner's upcoming work will include a new legislative proposal on return and readmission, as well as the creation of return hubs. Participants emphasised the need for establishing legal pathways and talent partnerships to address the EU's labour needs while promoting development in partner countries. The training also explored the external dimension of migration, including the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) in migration programmes, with a focus on lessons learned from the Libyan and Tunisian context. 

In the area of security, a new internal security strategy will be adopted in the first 100 days of the new Commissioner, and initiatives on cybercrime, terrorism, and drugs will follow shortly after. The training also covered the fight against corruption, with the anti-corruption file being transferred from DG HOME to DG JUST. Experts highlighted the need for synergy between regional approaches and country programming to promote anti-corruption, and shared real-life examples of vetting, a large-scale anti-corruption process for the judicial sector. Professor Hillion from the University of Oslo emphasised that promoting the Rule of Law is both a treaty obligation and in the EU's interest to maintain its influence and credibility.

The training was a great opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues from across the Commission, delegations, and other experts in the field.