European Commission
Malmström

I’m attending a so-called informal council meeting in Copenhagen. And by “informal”, I don’t mean relaxed discussions by the fire, without any strict agenda. On the contrary, we are more numerous than ever – all EU member states, candidate countries, Schengen countries, plus all our agencies – EASO, Frontex, Europol and Cepol, aswell as the chairman of the LIBE committee in the European Parliament. Thus, a fairly large group of people, in the enormous conference hall at Bella Center.

The difference from a “formal” ministerial is that we don’t take formal decisions.

On the agenda is, among other things, the issue of solidarity in asylum matters as well as the green paper on family reunification and the proposal to create a European system for passenger data, PNR.

The first discussion, about solidarity in asylum matters, was launched by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres. As usual, he was crystal clear in his statements and reminded us all that 80 percent of the world’s refugees are in developing countries. It’s always good to be reminded of the global perspective.

The discussion was somewhat fluffy – everyone supports solidarity in asylum matters between EU member states in principle, but few are willing to create a coordinated system for actually helping member states that are under great pressure. However, all member states are contributing to relieve the situation in Greece, and almost all are contributing with resources to the EASO and Frontex agencies. We are also close to being in agreement on the European resettlement program. These are all positive steps. The European Commission is also trying to add a monitoring system and a early warning mechanism to the so-called Dublin regulation, in order to identify problems in member states’ asylum systems. So, there was an unwillingness to commit to concrete targets, but a fairly good discussion none the less.

Discussing with High Commissioner Guterres. Photo: Mia Åsenius

During our lunch, we spoke about integration and family reunification. Family reunification is a vitally important element in the integration of refugees and a fundamental right. The provisions in this field are specified in an EU directive, and according to the Stockholm Program (which sets the framework for a large part of our work), this directive is to be reviewed. Now, the Commission has published a green paper with questions, open for debate. Integration problems exist, as do cases of abuse of the system – such as arranged marriages – but the question is if those problems are solved with a new directive. A majority of countries seemed to think that such a solution would not be the best one. The consultation is ongoing, and everyone can have their say.

Soon, we will be discussing a European PNR system, after which we are having dinner, courtesy of the Danish Presidency. Tomorrow, I am off to Malmö and Lund in my home country of Sweden.

This morning, I attended this week’s Commission meeting, where we discussed the preparations for the EU summit here in Brussels on Monday. Member states are expected to agree (or not agree) on the so-called euro pact, or fiscal compact. The latest draft should not be difficult for countries like Sweden or Denmark to accept. And in the case of Denmark, the government has the Parliament’s support to join.

From all around, we are being showered with gloomy economic forecasts. That is why it is so important that the compact isn’t the only issue disussed at the summit on Monday, but rather that heads of state and government discuss growth, growth and growth above all.

Today, we have also presented a legislative proposal on data protection in the EU in order to strengthen the integrity of individuals, for example on the internet – a very important issue. In our information society, where communication to a great extent is carried out online, it is increasingly important to have clear rules on who is allowed to use personal data, when it can be used and for what purposes. Also, clear sanctions are needed against those who abuse such data. At the same time, regulation must not hinder the use of the internet as a modern means of communication.

During the preparatory work of the proposal, it has been important to me and my staff to ensure that private, individual bloggers and people using social media like Facebook or Twitter would not be encompassed by this legislation – that, for example, you would not have to obtain permission before mentioning someone in a blog post. It has also been important to make sure that there is as little added bureaucracy as possible for small companies or local authorities. More info on the proposal can be found here.

In a few hours, I’m off to Copenhagen for an informal ministerial meting starting tomorrow morning. This is the first ministerial with the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers during the Danish Presidency. During the meeting, we will discuss our work against terrorism, solidarity in asylum policies as well as the green paper on family reunification, among other issues.

Yesterday the Croatians voted yes to EU membership. That ‘yes’ means a lot for the country and it is also very welcome, especially for a Union that is now trying to emerge from a severe crisis, that more countries would like to be part of the future EU. As MEP, I was the vice Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee and I have been following the country’s development for many years, therefore it is particularly pleasing that EU membership will soon be a reality for Croatia. The date for Croatia’s membership is set for the 1 July 2013 and hard work still remains for the government until that date. There are several areas – including mine – where reforms must be implemented, and from the Commission side we will do everything we can to assist in this work.

I am on my way home from Kosovo after two interesting days. The media attention here on the launch of the visa dialogue was huge. In the Spring we will begin formal negotiations, but the Government is already working on the many reforms needed. Kosovo is a young state and a lot of the democratic infrastructure and legal reforms have yet to be put into place.

Yesterday I had a very interesting working dinner with representatives from different parts of civil society in Kosovo. It was a lively discussion and they were far from united. Their picture of developments and challenges in the country is of course different from the image the government portrays.  But that was the very purpose of the visit: to listen to different opinions in order to get a full picture of the complex situation in the Balkans.

This morning I visited a school that works with integration of ethnic minorities (not only Serbs and Bosnians but also Roma, Ashkali and Balkan Egyptians) and ensuring that these children attend school. I had a good opportunity to talk to kids in the fourth grade. It was a mixed class with Albanian-speaking children as well as those from minority groups, many of whom had been returned from various European countries. It was very interesting.

I also visited an NGO that works on micro projects for Roma women in order for them to get a small income, rather than begging. The women I met made soap, which they sold on a small scale. They were very proud that they had managed to get some bigger orders from a a couple of hotels in Pristina. It means they don’t have to beg, they learn to read at night and their children are in school. The pride they radiated could not be mistaken, and I bring a small bag of scented soap as well as these memories back home.

This type of project is of course impressive and extremely needed. The unemployment in Kosovo is over 40 % and among minorities almost 90 %.

I am in Pristina, Kosovo for two days. The purpose of the visit is to launch a visa dialogue with the country. All Balkan countries today, except for Kosovo, enjoy visa freedom with the EU. Being able to visit family and friends or go for a holiday or a business trip without having to go through complicated visa procedures, is an excellent way to increase people to people contact. My aim is to remove as many visa requirements with countries outside the EU as possible.

In order for visa freedom to work, there are of course conditions. We require (as all countries do) that the country in question has a well functioning border control, that they fight corruption and organized crime, that there are proper asylum procedures in place etc. Kosovo has just fulfilled the first conditions for initiating a dialogue, which I launched today with the Prime Minister Thaci.

The next step is to develop a so-called Roadmap where further areas of reform will be listed. With that list, which must be approved by the Council of Ministers, we can then start the real negotiations. It will probably take some time but from the Commission side, we will do everything possible to support reforms, which also involves a consolidation of the democratic development of the country.

I have also met with several Ministers, I have visited the EULEX (the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo) and visited a centre for rehabilitation of trafficking victims. It was very emotional talking to the girls at the centre who are now getting help returning to normal life after the horrific experience.

Tonight awaits a dinner with a number of representatives of civil society, journalists, NGOs, etc.

One of the most internationally famous Swedes is Raoul Wallenberg. His efforts to rescue thousands of Jews during the Holocaust were truly heroic. A ceremony in Budapest sparks off celebration in his honour: it is a hundred years since he was born and today marks 67 years since he disappeared and probably died a very tragic and still unexplained death in a Soviet prison camp. In both Canada and Argentina there are yearly commemorations for his efforts. I think we should do the same in Sweden. Raoul Wallenberg was a very brave man who stood up for human dignity and democracy during a horrific time in European history. When you hear the debate on refugees and migration today, I sometimes wonder if his work would have been seen as equally heroic today.

Hungary was also a topic of conversation for entirely different reasons at the Commission’s weekly meeting today in Strasbourg. Many of us are concerned about the developments in the country. Last week the Commission decided that the Structural Funds could be freezed if Hungary did not take the appropriate steps to meet the requirements of budget deficit rules that apply to all EU members. Today we discussed a number of laws that we believe violates the EU acqui and in particular the fundamental values upon which the entire European cooperation rests. We decided to start infringement proceedings on three points: the Central Bank independence, independence of the judiciary, more specifically, the new age requirements introduced for judges, and the lack of independent data protection authority. In addition, we sent a letter with questions concerning the concentration of power in the judiciary. Hungary has a month to respond to all this. In normal cases, a Member State is given two months to reply, but this situation is serious.

As I mentioned previously, many of us are concerned for the development of the country and the so-called cardinal laws (i.e. laws that can only be amended by a two-thirds majority).  But first we wait and see how they plan to reform the laws I mentioned above. We will closely follow what happens and see what tools we have to ensure that the new laws in Hungary are in conformity with EU laws and values. Some colleagues and I have raised the issue of Article 7 (details on page seven here). It is not excluded that the Commission can look at whether it should be invoked, but the infringement procedure is a first step and we’ll see if it has any effect. Tomorrow the European Parliament will debate the developments in Hungary.  Rumour has it that Viktor Orban has asked to participate. It is excellent news that the Parliament is also willing to send a very clear political signal to Hungary.

Today the European Parliament chose a new President, Martin Schulz, a German Social Democrat, as Jerzy Buzek’s successor. Schulz is of course well known in the European Parliament where he has served since 1994, but it is a bit ironic that it was thanks to Berlusconi that he became known to the general public. During the Italian Presidency in 2003 Berlusconi accused him of sounding like a German camp guard, which created an enormous media stir. I send sincere congratulations to the new President and look forward to working with him.

The Swedish National Police today released a report of the human trafficking situation in Sweden. The report points out that while there has been increase in forced labour and begging, sex trafficking has been reduced. According to the police, one of the reasons for the decline is “the tireless efforts to combat sex trafficking.” It is very gratifying to see that the number of human trafficking crimes for sexual purposes has been reduced and I am confident that the Swedish legislation on the purchase of sexual services contributes greatly to this. At the same time it is terrible to see human trafficking for other purposes, such as forced labour, has increased. Forced labour has received increasing attention lately and it appears to be increasing across Europe. This is a lucrative business, and unfortunately perceived as a relatively low risk crime given that so very few traffickers are convicted. We are currently reviewing the EU legislation to see how it can be updated to better combat this type of crime.

Today I met with Colin Predoiu, the Romanian Minister of Justice. We have met several times and I know that he works hard in Romania to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and fight against corruption – sometimes it’s an uphill battle. We talked about recent work in this area and about Schengen.