The Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, attended the Council meeting of Home Affairs Ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday, 10 October 2024. The meeting focused on the general state of the Schengen area, enhancing the effectiveness of the EU’s return policy and the consequences and implications of external conflicts on the EU.
Concerning returns, Minister Camilleri underlined how a well-functioning return system is key to ensure a robust, credible and efficient migration framework. While noting Malta’s success in this field, highlighted by a significant increase in the rate of returns and low numbers of irregular arrivals, the Minister emphasized how the current EU return system still allows for abuse by economic migrants who reach our shores irregularly. In this regard, Minister Camilleri stressed the need to reform the Return Directive to ensure its widest possible application and introduce clear consequences for third country nationals who try to frustrate return proceedings by not cooperating with the authorities. The Minister highlighted the importance of ensuring that Frontex has the necessary resources and mandate to further support Member States, and the need for increased cooperation with third countries, while also noting the importance of returning third country nationals who commit crimes or pose a security risk to the EU.
Minister Camilleri underlined the importance of safeguarding the security of the Schengen area while at the same time ensuring that internal border controls remain a measure of last resort to be applied for the shortest possible timeframe. In particular, the Minister emphasized the need to focus efforts on preventing irregular migration and combating organized crime, while noting that these are shared challenges that require a coordinated and strengthened EU approach.
Photo: European Council (Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri with Minister of Migration and Asylum of Greece Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos)
