On 11th and 12th of March, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee attended informal meetings of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers, where the retention of electronic communication data was discussed. The Presidency provided an update on the current state of play and way ahead in relation to the Pact on Migration and Asylum and an exchange of views was held on the European Commission’s Communication on enhancing cooperation on return and readmission. The Communication was welcomed by Minister McEntee.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Home Affairs also met via videoconference on 15 March 2021 to debate the external aspects of EU migration policy under the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Co-chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the Portuguese Minister for Home Affairs, Eduardo Cabrita, the debate focused on migration as an important element in relations with key third countries, as well as how to improve coordination and cooperation within the EU to achieve migration objectives.
The group concluded that convening regular joint meetings between Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, was important. Enhancing EU-North Africa countries’ cooperation on Justice and Home Affairs was also discussed. Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee both attended the meeting.
For more information, see related press releases:
Informal video conference of foreign affairs and home affairs ministers, 15 March 2021
