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.

Lecture at the University of Copenhagen

I have spent the day in Copenhagen, as part of preparations for the incoming Danish EU Presidency. The day began with me giving a public lecture at the University of Copenhagen. The theme was the Arab spring and the EU’s migration policy. It was followed by a really good discussion and the students were extremely well informed.

Then I had a long conversation with Morten Bödskov, the new Minister of Justice, who is the Danish Minister responsible for most of my portfolio issues. We went through all the issues on the agenda for the first half of next year, and discussed various difficulties and opportunities. It will not be an easy Presidency, in view of the economic crisis and the negotiations on the next multi-annual budget. In the area of Home Affairs alone, there are many tricky issues, such as the asylum package, the Schengen proposal, a number of visa issues, cybercrime, border control, etc. to be addressed during their Presidency. The Danes have opt-outs on almost all of these issues, but I am convinced that they will manage to solve several difficult issues in spite of that. We have high hopes.

I also met with the Labour and Integration Minister, Mette Frederiksen, to discuss, among other issues, labour migration.

Today’s visit also provided a good opportunity to communicate that the Commission’s review of the recent Danish plans to reinforce border controls, is now formally closed.

The newly-appointed government of Denmark has announced that it is scrapping plans for increased border controls towards the rest of Europe. This is a welcome development – it is positive in terms of free movement as well as for our European cooperation in general. As the avid reader of this blog is aware, the Commission voiced concern earlier this year about the Danish plans, but after the Danish election and yesterday’s announcement the situation has clearly changed.

The Danish government also announced its intentions to hold a referendum about the country’s opt-outs from EU cooperation in legal matters. This is, naturally, something which is up to the Danes to decide. I would be happy to welcome the participation of Denmark in this area. A referendum would mean a possibility for Denmark to have a greater influence over important decisions at EU level, for example in areas like fighting organized crime, or efforts against terrorism and trafficking in human beings.

Early this morning we left Ohrid for Skopje. There, I met with Prime Minister Gruevski for a brief conversation on visa issues, corruption and freedom of the press. The former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia is hoping to start negotiating on EU membership soon, a development so far made impossible by the name issue.

Meeting with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in Skopje.

As I have previously written on the blog, the Commission has been in close contact with the Danish authorities during the past weeks to ensure that its plans would not endanger free movement and would fully respect EU legislation. We are currently assessing all the information submitted by Denmark concerning their plans to reinforce customs controls at the borders. But the final decision on whether the Danish rules are in line with EU law will also depend on how they are put in practice. This is why, in agreement with the Danish authorities, I have today decided to send Commission experts to Denmark tomorrow to asses how the measures have been implemented.

2011-07-05 This is the last plenary session in Strasbourg before the summer. I have had debates on PNR and the new IT-agency under my portfolio that will be in charge of the Schengen and visa data systems, SIS and VIS. I also spoke on behalf of the Commission on other issues yesterday evening, which resulted in six additional debates that lasted till midnight.

Today I have had several bilateral meetings with Members of Parliament and I also met with Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the opposition leader in Denmark. We are old friends and know each other from the European Parliament. We discussed, amongst many other issues, the deployment of additional custom officers in Denmark. We  are in almost daily contact with Denmark and they have assured that there will only be spot checks based on risk analysis. We will of course closely monitor the implementation of this to ensure that this is also the case and a correct application of EU law.

2011-06-23 The vote in the Danish Parliament on the proposal to strengthen the border controls has now been delayed until next week. This has resulted in questions on Schengen which will also be one of the topics for the European Council.

The Commission is concerned by the Danish proposal, which I have written about previously here on the blog. However, Denmark has assured the Commission that it has no intention to infringe EU law and that they are ready to cooperate with the Commission. This is a positive signal. We are following the issue carefully to make sure that this is also the case. And if the Danish government proceeds with a proposal in breach with the EU law, we stand ready to take the necessary measures to protect the European values of free movement.

2011-05-13 I am concerned by the announcement of the Danish government aiming at strengthening intra-EU border control by establishing a permanent and visible customs control at all Danish borders. The Commission’s preliminary assessment raises real concerns that, if implemented as announced, the measures foreseen could be in breach of the obligations assumed by Denmark under EU and international law.

President Barroso has spoken to the Danish Prime Minister and followed up with a letter to him seeking the opinion of the Danish authorities about the preliminary assessment by the Commission and requesting further clarifications. In particular, the Commission will ask for information about the legal basis for the envisaged checks, the sources of information based on which these checks will be carried out, and whether the announced measures will be part of larger measures to combat crime throughout the whole Danish territory.

I call on the Danish government to refrain from taking unilateral steps and to make sure that any measures taken are in line with the relevant law. The Commission stands ready to continue the dialogue with Denmark. But it will, if needed, use the tools at its disposal to guarantee the respect of EU law.