Justice and Home Affairs Council, 13 March 2020

Main results

At our meeting today we addressed two major challenges Europe is facing: the coronavirus outbreak and the situation on our external border. On both these issues Europeans are looking for reassurance that we are doing everything possible to deal with the situation. Today's meeting was a further step forward in improving our overall coordination and mutual support on both issues.

Davor Božinović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Croatia

Situation at the EU's external borders

Home affairs ministers were informed by the member states most directly affected, the Commission and the relevant EU agencies, of the latest developments at the EU's external borders with Turkey. Despite the increased pressure since 28 February, the current situation remains stable on both the land and sea borders.

Ministers also assessed how the measures mentioned in the home affairs ministers statement of 4 March are being implemented:

• member states have provided the staff and assets called for by Frontex for two rapid border intervention operations
• the deployment of 160 asylum experts will be accelerated
• member and participating states have responded with more than 70000 items to the call triggered via the EU civil protection mechanism
• Frontex coordinated support for return, as well as financial assistance of up to €700 million, is also being made available

COVID-19: coronavirus outbreak

Civil protection

Over lunch, ministers responsible for civil protection issues discussed the coronavirus outbreak, following up on the priorities identified by EU leaders on 10 March. They focused in particular on:

• lessons learnt so far in the tackling of the COVID-19 outbreak
• possible additional preparedness and response measures for the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
• how to step up information-sharing, making full use of the integrated political crisis response (IPCR) toolbox
• additional support from member states

EU guidelines for health screening at borders

Decisions taken at the borders of member states are national decisions and fall under the competence of the respective member state. Notwithstanding, the Commission proposed to prepare guidelines that could suggest a more uniform way of health screening carried out at borders.

Working methods of the Council during the crisis

Following a request by the Italian delegation, Ministers had a brief exchange of view with the Secretary General of the Council about working methods of the Council during the coronavirus crisis.

• COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak (latest information)