Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri attended the Informal Meeting of Home Affairs Ministers in Brussels. The meeting focused on the future of temporary protection for Ukrainians beyond 2025, the use of artificial intelligence by criminal organisations and the response to drug-related organized crime.
Minister Camilleri underscored the importance of maintaining a European approach to address the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While noting the fact that temporary protection comes with its own set of challenges, the Minister noted how this instrument has allowed the Union to effectively manage the arrival of persons from Ukraine without overburdening our asylum system. Minister Camilleri stated that whereas the further extension of temporary protection would be the preferred option, other alternatives could be explored, provided that these are applied uniformly across the EU.
During the discussion on the use of artificial intelligence by criminal organisations and its impact on law enforcement authorities, Minister Camilleri highlighted the importance of ensuring that national law enforcement authorities are well equipped, not simply to investigate and prosecute wrongful development, deployment, and use of AI, but most importantly to prevent and promptly detect it to safeguard citizens’ rights.
Ministers also discussed the response to drug-related organized crime, with Minister Camilleri welcoming the launch of the European Ports Alliance as an important step against drug trafficking.
