ZARZALEJOS CHAIRS LIBE MEETINGS ON 28 SEPTEMBER AND 19 OCTOBER

Javier Zarzalejos, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), chaired meetings held in Brussels on 28 September and in Strasbourg on 19 October. Both sessions addressed important issues on the European agenda, ranging from the fight against organised crime and migration management to the protection of the rule of law.

At the September meeting, MEPs exchanged views with Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, on the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The debate focused on developing a European asylum, migration and returns policy, strengthening border security and responding to emerging threats and organised crime. The committee also examined the European Drug Report 2026, presented by Lorraine Nolan, Executive Director of the European Union Drugs Agency. The presentation provided an opportunity to discuss the high availability of illicit substances, the growing diversity and potency of synthetic drugs and the challenges these trends pose for public health and law enforcement.

Another item was the Chișinău Declaration, adopted by the member states of the Council of Europe. The exchange with the European Commission addressed the European Convention on Human Rights system and its application to migration challenges, including border protection, returns and cooperation with third countries.

The extraordinary meeting on 19 October, meanwhile, was devoted to the presentation of the 2026 Rule of Law Report by Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection.