INFORMAL MEETING OF INTERIOR MINISTERS

Javier Zarzalejos, as Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament was invited on January 30 to the Informal Meeting of Interior Ministers in Warsaw, organized by the Polish Presidency of the European Council.

Zarzalejos took part in several working sessions focusing on migration management, the new EU internal security strategy and civil-military cooperation for crisis preparedness.

In the first session, Zarzalejos stressed the importance of the effective implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact, recalling the legislative effort of the previous legislature and the need for all Member States to comply with the commitments made. He pointed out that the creation of lists of safe countries of origin and third countries remains a key pending task to ensure a uniform application of the asylum system. Regarding return policies, he stressed the importance of balancing safeguards with efficiency in return procedures, ensuring respect for fundamental rights.

In the second session, Zarzalejos reiterated the need for a new EU Internal Security Strategy that effectively addresses emerging threats. He stressed the urgency of strengthening police and judicial cooperation at the European level, pointing out the importance of improving Europol’s operational capacity in the fight against organized crime and terrorism. He stressed the European Parliament’s concern about the increasing instrumentalization of migration flows as a tool of hybrid warfare and called for a coordinated response that combines security and respect for human rights.

Finally, during the working lunch, Zarzalejos participated in the debate on the contribution of the Home Affairs sector to crisis preparedness, in the framework of the Niinistö report. He stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to strengthen cooperation between the EU and NATO in civilian and military security. He underlined the importance of having a crisis warning and communication system at European level and called for adequate funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework to ensure the EU’s resilience to emerging threats.