Ministers were updated on the work carried out at expert level on the regulation on the mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders as well as on the directive on countering money laundering by criminal law.
Combatting financial crime and terrorist financing
Ministers were updated on the work carried out at expert level on the regulation on the mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders as well as on the directive on countering money laundering by criminal law. The overall objective is to further disrupt the sources of revenue used by terrorist organisations, as well as to improve the tracing of terrorists through financial movements.
“Combatting financial crime and terrorist financing is a priority for the EU and the Maltese presidency. These legislations will expand the range of tools available to us to help provide greater security for European citizens”.
Work on the directive on countering money laundering is progressing speedily so the Maltese presidency is expecting the Council to reach its position in June 2017, before starting negotiations with the Parliament.
Digital single market
Ministers noted the progress made on the technical work regarding the directive on the supply of digital content. The Maltese presidency has focused its work on finding compromises on the main concepts and key issues, such as the rules on conformity and remedies.
Given the very positive attitude from member states, the presidency is confident that a Council position can be adopted by June in order to start negotiations with the Parliament.
The directive on digital content aims to regulate contracts for the supply of digital content and would cover a variety of products and services such as the buying of music and video online or the services allowing the sharing of data (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, etc.).
European public prosecutor – EPPO
Before the start of the Council meeting, Justice ministers met informally to discuss the launch of an enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the EPPO. A number of member states expressed their intention to sign the notification letter.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office regulation aims at helping combat crimes against the EU’s financial interests.
Migration
On Monday, ministers took stock of developments in the area of migration policy, focusing on the implementation of the Malta declaration of 3 February 2017. They paid particular attention to how contributions from member states could help make implementation even more effective.
“Time is of the essence. We risk seeing further tragedies in the Mediterranean, so we must act and act quickly. Every effort is being made to implement the priority actions in the Malta Declaration. In the meantime, it is essential that member states fulfil their commitments with regards to relocations from Italy and Greece and the deployment of experts to the agencies”.
Carmelo Abela, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security of Malta
Ministers also took note of information from the Presidency on the outcome of the Valletta Joint Action Plan Senior Officials meeting which took place on 8-9 February 2017.
Over lunch, ministers discussed other aspects of migration policy, focusing on the deployment of resources by the member states as well as on relocation.
Return
Ministers also discussed return and readmission policy, based on the Commission communication on a more effective return policy and a Commission recommendation on making returns more effective when implementing directive 2008/115/EC (“return directive”). The Council’s discussion centred on two aspects – the external side: improving cooperation by third countries on readmission, and the internal side: making sure the right procedures and systems are in place for effective returns. The discussions enabled ministers to offer guidance for further technical level work on these issues.
Common European asylum system reform
The Council took note of ongoing work on the reform of the common European asylum system and resettlement on the basis of a progress report from the presidency. The presidency will continue its efforts to take forward work on as many proposals of the package as possible.
Travel document fraud
The Council adopted without discussion conclusions on the action plan to strengthen the European response to travel document fraud. The conclusions focus on the importance of more secure breeder documents and the need for an overhaul of the FADO database (false and authentic documents online) through a change of its legal basis.
Travel document security is a fundamental element in the fight terrorism and organised crime. It also contributes to improve migration management and border protection.
