EU home affairs ministers expected to reach preliminary agreement on extension of temporary protection of Ukrainians

EU home affairs ministers expected to reach preliminary agreement on extension of temporary protection of Ukrainians

The home affairs ministers from all the EU Member States are meeting for the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 13 June in Luxembourg. The agenda includes the continuation of temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine, the EU Internal Security Strategy as well as the return of persons staying illegally in the EU. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

The ministers of home affairs are expected to reach a political agreement on extending temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine for one year. On 4 June, the European Commission presented its proposal to extend temporary protection until 4 March 2027. The proposal is due to be formally adopted later in the summer.

The ministers of home affairs will also launch a discussion on how to decide on temporary protection in a controlled manner in due course.

"Finland supports the proposed extension of temporary protection by one year. In addition, we need a coordinated EU-level solution to the stage when the situation in Ukraine stabilises and the end of temporary protection and people returning to Ukraine becomes topical. Finland contributes on a wide scale in the reconstruction of Ukraine," says Minister of the Interior Rantanen.

Public authorities' access to data would enhance crime prevention and investigation

The home affairs ministers will also discuss the EU Internal Security Strategy presented by the Commission in April. The strategy presents measures to support Member States and strengthen the EU's internal security in the coming years. For example, strengthening the EU's external borders, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex is particularly important for Finland.

One of the key objectives of the strategy is to ensure that the public authorities have access to data for effective law enforcement. At the moment, criminals and hostile states are utilising new digital tools, but it is very difficult for the authorities to prevent or investigate criminal activities without access to the necessary data.

"Law enforcement authorities must also have adequate tools in the online world. It is important that the Commission draws up a concrete plan to improve access to data and that the work is now advanced with determination," Minister Rantanen says.

Return hubs would encourage voluntary return to home countries

The meeting will also discuss how to promote, through cooperation with third countries, the return of persons staying illegally in the EU. Trade, visa and development policies offer different ways to do this. For example, it has been useful to impose visa restrictions on countries that do not accept their own citizens.

In March, the Commission presented a proposal for a new return regulation, which would allow the creation of return hubs outside the EU. A person staying illegally in the EU could be transferred to a return hub to wait until they can be returned to their country of origin.

"Return hubs would be a significant addition to the range of means of returning people to their home countries, and the hubs would encourage voluntary return. It should be possible to use EU funding to promote their returning home. This includes return hubs," Minister Rantanen says.

"In addition to developing EU legislation, it is essential that the Commission and the EU's External Action Service work actively with third countries to improve cooperation. States have an obligation to take back their own citizens," Minister Rantanen says.

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