Justice and Home Affairs Council, 08-09/03/2018, 8-9 March 2018

Main results

Home affairs - Thursday 8 March

Cooperation with the Western Balkans on security

Ministers exchanged views on cooperation with the Western Balkans in the area of internal security and counter-terrorism, on the basis of the Commission communication of 6 February.

They focused on how to enhance member states' engagement with the Western Balkans and where to focus follow-up action. Ministers also highlighted a number of possible short term deliverables.

Security in the Western Balkans has a direct impact on security in the EU. We are committed to better cooperation with the region to counter threats from organised crime and terrorism, and so improve the security of EU citizens. Valentin Radev, minister for interior of Bulgaria

The outcome of this discussion will feed into the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit, which will take place in Sofia on 17 May. The Presidency also announced its intention to convene a meeting in June with Western Balkans partners at senior officials level.

Interoperability

Ministers discussed the Commission proposals on interoperability between EU information systems. These proposals aim to improve the searching and comparing of data available in EU information systems.

Ministers focused on whether the interoperability components proposed adequately address the needs, whether coordination should be provided at EU level to prepare the implementation at national level, whether any additional elements should be considered, and whether the Commission and member states should examine the feasibility of other elements to address the remaining information gaps and contribute to the completion of the interoperability landscape.

Following this discussion, examination of the proposals will continue at a technical level.

• Background note on interoperability from the presidency
• Infographic on interoperability

Other items

Over lunch, ministers discussed how to tackle terrorist content online most effectively. They highlighted the importance of continuing work on the various measures in place and on ensuring the big internet companies live up to their commitments.

The Council also appointed Catherine De Bolle from Belgium as the next Executive Director of Europol.

• Europol: Council appoints Catherine De Bolle as Executive Director (press release, 08/03/2018)

Justice - Friday 9 March

Non-cash fraud directive

Ministers agreed on the Council's position on the directive on combatting fraud of non-cash means of payments. The directive will put in place a clear, robust and technology-neutral legal framework to tackle fraud to electronic and digital means of payment such as online wallets, mobile payments, bank cards or virtual currencies.

Fraud with credit cards or online shopping is rapidly increasing. Not only it is used to finance criminal groups but it undermines the development of the digital single market as citizens become more reluctant to shop online. We need to put a stop to this and send a clear message to fraudsters that they you will no longer be able to exploit loopholes between Member states. We will now have common rules which will be robust and will ensure that fraudulent behaviours are punished. Tsetska Tsacheva, Bulgarian minister of Justice

• Insurance distribution: Council delays application of new rules (press release, 09/03/2018)

E-evidence

Ministers reaffirmed the importance of establishing a legal framework for the cross-border access to e-evidence and encouraged the Commission to finalise its proposal urgently. The Commission undertook to present it in April.  

Ministers also discussed developments at international level, in the US and at the Council of Europe in particular, and underlined the need to take these into account in future EU legislation.

European public prosecutor's office (EPPO)

The Council was updated by the Commission on the implementation of the EPPO regulation.

Member states reaffirmed their wish to be closely involved in the practical setting up of the EPPO as well as the need to ensure good working cooperation between EPPO and other bodies such as Eurojust, OLAF and Europol. During the debate, Malta informed of its intention to join the EPPO.  

The EPPO will have the authority, under certain conditions, to investigate and prosecute EU-fraud and other crimes affecting the Union's financial interests. It will bring together European and national law-enforcement efforts to counter EU fraud.

• 20 member states confirm the creation of an European Public Prosecutor's Office (press release, 12/10/2017)