Outsourcing Borders: Document archive

Meetings

• 29 April 2026
• 10 March 2026
• 29 January 2026
• 5 December 2025
• 13 November 2025
• 10 September 2025
• 10 July 2025
• 18 June 2025
• 14 May 2025
• 26 March 2025
• 24 January 2025
• 29 November 2024
• 21 October 2024
• 20 September 2024
• 18 July 2024
• 6 June 2024
• 17 May 2024
• 14 March 2024
• 12 February 2024
• 28 November 2023
• 6 October 2023
• 8 September 2023

Please note: All documents listed (whether officially numbered or referred to otherwise, for example as a presentation) have been requested by Statewatch. If there is a link to the document, the request was successful or it has been obtained via other means. If there is no link to a document, the request is still pending. Where access has been refused or only partial access has been granted a note is included. Text in square brackets is an addition to the original agenda.

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29 April 2026

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda 

CM 2262/26

2. Cooperation with Lebanon as a priority third country 

– Presentation by the Lebanese authorities

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS = Exchange of views

7814/26 (to be issued)

3. Migratory situation on the Central Mediterranean route (Tunisia, Libya, Egypt)

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

– Presentation by Frontex and EUAA

= Exchange of views

4. Follow-up on the implementation of the Talent Partnerships, on Labour and Legal Migration

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

5. Prague Process – Ministerial Conference 28 January 2027

– Presentation by the Czech delegation

– Information by the Commission

= Exchange of views

6. AOB

a) IMRF 2026 – Information by the EEAS and the Commission

b) Khartoum Process SOM (Paris, France, 14–15 April 2026) – Debrief by the French delegation

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10 March 2026

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda 

CM 1628/26

2. Migratory situation on the Western Balkans Route

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

– Presentation by Frontex

= Exchange of views

3. Migratory situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

4. The role of regional processes in achieving the objectives of the external dimension of migration (Khartoum, Rabat, Budapest, Prague)

– Presentation by ICMPD

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

– Presentation by the Presidency

= Exchange of views

6379/26 (to be issued)

5. International Migration Review Forum (IMRF)

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

6. AOB

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29 January 2026

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda 

CM 5497/25

2. Migratory situation on the Eastern Mediterranean Route (focus on Türkiye, Egypt and
Syria)

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
– Presentation by Frontex, EUAA and Europol
= Exchange of views

3. Update on the state of play of external cooperation in the field of migration policy

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views
16925/25 (to be issued)

4. The current displacement situation in Syria

– Presentation by UNHCR and IOM
– Information by the Commission and the EEAS
– Presentation by the Presidency
= Exchange of views
16926/25 (to be issued)

5. Follow-up of the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review Meeting

– Presentation by UNHCR
– Information by the Commission and the EEAS
– = Exchange of views

6. AOB

UK joining the European Migration Network (EMN) as Observer
– Information by the Commission

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5 December 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda 

CM 5144/25

2. Migration cooperation as part of the EU’s Comprehensive Partnerships: Strategic use of
Member States’ migration funding and enhanced use of the Team Europe Initiatives

Presentation by the Commission- Presentation by the Presidency
= Exchange of views
15660/25 (to be issued)

3. Legal pathways as part of the EU’s migration cooperation with third countries
– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

4. EU agencies’ mandate on the external dimension

– Presentation by Frontex, EUAA and Europol
– Information by the Commission and the EEAS
– Presentation by the Presidency
= Exchange of views
14622/25 (to be issued)

5. New Strategy for the Sahel

– Presentation by the EU Special Representative for the Sahel
– Information by the Commission and the EEAS
– = Exchange of views
14296/25

6. Overview of the activities and achievements during the Danish Presidency

– Presentation by the Presidency

7. Priorities of the upcoming Cypriot Presidency

– Information by the Cypriot delegation

8. AOB

EU-AU Summit (Luanda, Angola, 24-25 November 2025)
– Debrief by the Presidency on the outcome regarding migration

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13 November 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda 

CM 4567/25

2. State of play of readmission cooperation – implementation of Article 25a of the Visa Code (In Mixed Committee format)

-Presentation by the Presidency

= Exchange of views

3. European Union Support to Ukraine’s Border Management Authorities

-Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

14396/25

4. New and innovative solutions to prevent and counter irregular migration: Place of Safety Arrangements

– Presentation by UNHCR and IOM

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

14360/25 (to be issued)

5. The Pact for the Mediterranean

-Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

14203/25

6. AOB

a) EU-WB Ministerial Forum on JHA (Sarajevo, 30-31 October)
– The Presidency will debrief on the outcome of the meeting.
b) Revision of the MOCADEM action files
– The Presidency will present its intention regarding the human rights-based approach in
relation to those action files.

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10 September 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda 

CM 3696/25

2. Status on the EU cooperation with Türkiye in the area of migration – Information by the Commission and the EEAS – Presentation by the Presidency = Exchange of views

11680/25 (to be issued)

3. Displacement situation and recent developments in Syria – Presentation by UNHCR – Information by the Commission and the EEAS = Exchange of views

4. Human rights-based approach to migration cooperation – Presentation by OHCHR and by the Danish Institute for Human Rights – Presentation by the Presidency – Information by the Commission and the EEAS = Exchange of views

11681/25 (to be issued)

5. The current migratory situation in Afghanistan – Presentation by IOM and by UNHCR – Information by the Commission and the EEAS = Exchange of views

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10 July 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda 

CM 3223/25

2. Update on the state of play of external cooperation in the field of migration policy

–Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

10306/25 (to be issued)

3. Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programs, with a particular focus on Africa

-Presentation by IOM 

-Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

10308/25 (to be issued)

4. Climate related migration and forced displacement on the African continent

– Presentations by the Mixed Migration Centre (MCC), IOM and the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD)

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

10309/25 (to be issued)

5. AOB

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18 June 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

2. Making the best use of the financial framework for enhancing comprehensive cooperation on the external dimension of migration and asylum

– Information by the Commission

= Exchange of views

9372/25 (to be issued)

3. Strengthening the role of the European network of immigration liaison officers in intensifying operational and strategic cooperation with partner countries

– Information by the COM and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

9374/25 (to be issued)

4. Optimising cooperation along migratory routes and strengthening the EU’s comprehensive approach to building security in partner countries: contribution from CSDP missions

– Information by the EEAS

= Exchange of views

9375/25 (to be issued)

5. Priorities of the upcoming Danish Presidency

– Information by the Danish delegation

6. AOB

a) EMN Poland High-level Presidency Conference “Countering irregular migration and addressing its root causes”, Warsaw 24 June 2025

– Information by the Presidency

b) New Proposal for a Regulation of the EP and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 as regards the application of the ‘safe third country’ concept – Presentation
on 10 June at AWP

– Debrief by the Presidency

 

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14 May 2025

(return to top)

 Format: 2+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Impact of the current situation in Afghanistan on migratory flows in neighbouring countries: prospects and support for Afghan migrants in hosting countries

– Presentation by UNHCR and IOM

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

3. Migratory routes from Central Asian countries

– Presentation by ICMPD and IOM

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

7995/25 (to be issued)

 

4. Western Balkan partners: update on the progress in the field of asylum and migration management

– Presentation by IOM

– Presentation by EUAA and Frontex

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

5. Migratory situation on the Central Mediterranean route

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

8073/25 (to be issued)

 

6. AOB

a) EU-US SOM on JHA (Warsaw, 31 March – 1 April)

– Debrief by the Presidency

b) EU-Central Asia Summit (Samarkand, 3 – 4 April)

– Debrief by the Commission and the EEAS

c) Khartoum Process Ministerial Conference (Cairo, 8 – 9 April)

– Debrief by the Commission and the EEAS

d) Syria: follow-up to the discussions on 24 April at AWP

– Debrief by the Presidency

e) EEAS Deputy Secretary General ECO mission to the AU and Ethiopia (8-10 April)

– Debrief by the EEAS

 

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26 March 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Missing migrants along the migratory routes to the EU

– Presentation by ICRC, IOM and ICMPD

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

3. Operationalisation of the New Pact on Asylum and Migration: cooperation of the Member States with priority third countries in the context of the development of the national/European migration strategy

– Presentation by ICMPD

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

5996/25 (to be issued)

 

4. Migratory situation on the Western Mediterranean/Atlantic routes with a focus on Senegal – opportunities for cooperation

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Information by Frontex

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

5997/25 (to be issued)

 

5. Cooperation with priority third countries: Pact for the Mediterranean and comprehensive partnerships

– Information by the Commission

= Exchange of views

 

6. AOB

a) EU-US SOM on JHA (Warsaw, 31 March – 1 April)

– Information by the Presidency

b) EU-Western Balkans SOM (Brussels, 8 April)

– Information by the Presidency

c) Khartoum Process Ministerial Conference (Cairo, 9 April)

– Information by the Commission

 

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24 January 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Migratory situation on the Eastern Mediterranean Route, consequences of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Syria and Lebanon, support for the third states hosting refugees

– Presentation by the Polish Centre for International Aid, ICRC and UNHCR

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

3. Situation on the Eastern Land Route, profile of the route, instrumentalisation of migrants, ways to cooperate with the countries of origin and transit

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

5234/25 (to be issued)

Key points:

• Notes that border fences and associated surveillance gear in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland “have been partially (electronic systems) supported by EU funds”
• To respond to “instrumentalisation” of migrants, “the Polish Presidency would like to explore the possibility of deploying liaison officers, particularly in key transit countries on the eastern land route,” such as Turkey and the United Arab Emirates
• The paper ends with a number of questions to delegations, including: “Do you think there is a need to establish an action plan dedicated to the eastern land route similar to the plans for other routes?”

 

4. Migratory situation in the Channel (La Manche)

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by Frontex

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

5380/25 (to be issued)

 

5. Update on the state of play of external cooperation in the field of migration policy

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

5235/25 (to be issued)

 

6. AOB

Khartoum Process Ministerial Conference (Cairo, 9 April 2025)

– Information by the Commission

 

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29 November 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. The migratory situation on the Western Balkans route

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

14871/24 (to be issued)

Key points:

• Covers cooperation between the EU and Western Balkans states on border and immigration policy
• The document states that Western Balkans countries consider it a “priority” to allow Frontex to carry out deportations from those states – for example, from Serbia to Pakistan
• “Forced return operations to countries of origin remain limited, with the notable exception of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which effectively conducts such operations to Türkiye, Pakistan, Morocco, Bangladesh, and other third countries, facilitated by strong diplomatic relations”

 

3. The future of the migration cooperation with Türkiye

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

4. EU Hybrid toolbox [R-UE/EU-R]

– Presentation by the Chair of the HWP ERCHT

= Exchange of views

 

5. The role of regional processes in achieving the objectives of the external dimension of migration (Khartoum, Rabat, Budapest, Prague)

– Presentation by the Presidency

= Exchange of views

14872/24 (to be issued)

Key points:

• Opens with an overview of the different “regional processes” on migration funded by the EU: the Budapest, Prague, Khartoum and Rabat processes, and EUROMED Migration
• Questions are posed to member states to “understand how to further improve and capitalise on” these processes
• One question asks: “How can these regional processes and dialogues play an enabling role in the development of possible further comprehensive partnerships with third countries?”

 

6. Overview of the activities and achievements during the HU Presidency

 

7. Presentation of the priorities of the upcoming PL Presidency

 

8. AOB

a) EU-U.S. SOM on JHA (Brussels, 17-18 October)

– Debrief by the Presidency on the outcome

b) EU-WB Ministerial Forum on JHA (Budva, 28-29 October)

– Debrief by the Presidency on the outcome

c) Budapest Process Ministerial Conference (Budapest, 12 November)

– Debrief by the Presidency on the outcome

 

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21 October 2024

(return to top)

Format: 2+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Silk routes region

– Presentation by ICMPD [WK 13195/2024 INIT]

• • • Presentation from International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) on migration trends from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Bangladesh, India and Iran to the EU, including statistics on asylum applications, recognition rates of asylum requests, and “detections” of irregular border crossings.
    • Notes that the many EU programs to resettle Afghan refugees have “limited reach or slow implementation” and reintegration policies for deportees are “often fragmented,” alongside statistics showing that displacement from the region has increased dramatically since 2019 due to Taliban rule and mass deportations of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran.
    • Goes over ICMPD’s involvement in border management support in the region, including document examination training that increased the detection of forged documents at airports in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

14100/24 (to be issued)

Key points:

• Covers migration “challenges” from the Silk Routes region (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq), emphasising that displacement, political and economic instability, and limited legal migration pathways are driving “irregular” movement to the EU
• Details the “severe curtailment of basic freedoms” and “deteriorating situation for women and girls” in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, where 1.6 million people have fled to neighbouring countries, highlights Iran and Pakistan’s mass deportations of Afghan refugees and discusses the prevalence of smuggling networks from Bangladesh due to insufficient legal migration pathways
• Poses questions on ideas for protection measures for Afghans, “opportunities” to stabilise the region and “reduce irregular migration to the EU,” and suggests expanding EU “Talent Partnerships” with Bangladesh and Pakistan to meet the EU’s labour market needs and reduce irregular migration

 

3. Budapest Process – Draft Ministerial declaration and Call for Action 2025-2030

– Presentation by the Presidency

= Exchange of views

14102/24 (to be issued)

Key points:

• Circulates a draft of a Ministerial Declaration and Call for Action 2025–2030 for eventual presentation to the Budapest Process, a forum involving over 50 countries, that endorses a “renewed commitment” to making migration “orderly, safe, regular and responsible”
• The Call for Action presents six EU-aligned migration priorities to the forum, led by preventing irregular migration and fighting smuggling
• Proposes the “increased use of innovative technologies” to strengthen border enforcement and calls for digitised “information campaigns” targeted at migrants and “database formation” to enhance data sharing “related to return and readmission” with countries outside the EU

 

4. Civilian CSDP missions in the area of migration

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by the EEAS

= Exchange of views

14103/24 (to be issued)

Key points:

• Provides background on the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) “civilian missions” in Mali and Libya, where EU personnel train and advise local security forces and border authorities to address the “challenge/threat” of irregular migration
• Notes that EUCAP Sahel Mali, tasked with advising and training Mali’s Internal Security Forces on border security and law enforcement capacity building, continues operating despite the 2021 coup d’état, with a mandate until January 2025.
• Acknowledges Libya’s “fragile” political situation and the “structural difficulties” CSDP missions face in cooperating with Libyan agencies, nevertheless proposes embedding EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) staff directly within Libyan institutions, including the Libyan Coast Guard, which has faced significant criticism for human rights abuses
• Asks the group if they would support shifting CSDP missions from “civilian crisis management” toward more explicit cooperation with EU “migration control policies in the external dimension”

[Presentation by Head of Mission of the EU Border Assistance Mission in Libya (WK 13216/2024 INIT, pdf)]

 

5. Migratory situation in Mali

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

6. AOB

– EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on JHA (Budva, 28–29 October)

– Information by the Presidency on the preparation

– Joint High-Level Meeting of the Khartoum Process and the Rabat Process entitled “Empowering EU-Africa Cooperation: Innovative Pathways for Skills Mobility (Lisbon, 16-17 October)

– Information by the Portuguese delegation

– Albania Observer Country Status in the European Migration Network

– Information by the Commission

– Prague Process SOM (Chisinau, 24-25 September) – 15th Anniversary of the Process

– Debrief from the Czech delegation

– EU-India High Level Dialogue on Migration and Mobility (Brussels, 26 November)

– Information by the Commission

 

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20 September 2024

(return to top)

Format: 2+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3850/24

 

2. Article 25a of the Visa Code

– Presentation by the Presidency

= Exchange of views

 

3. Migratory situation on the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

12988/24 (to be issued)

• Key points:
  • Acknowledge the role of the state in creating dangerous journeys: “…given the increased controls on the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean coastline, migrants often try to set off from difficult-to-reach rocky shores and have to choose hidden, inaccessible areas to dock, which increase the risk of accidents at sea.”
  • However, the document primarily blames the danger for people making sea crossings on smugglers
  • The document gives a brief overview of cooperation with Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, including information on funding worth hundreds of millions of euros

4. The current migratory situation in Afghanistan

– Presentation by the ICRC

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

12991/24 (to be issued)

• Key points:
  • Discusses the situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in 2021, noting that “there are many signs” the country “is evolving into a theocratic police state”
  • Brief overview of the economic and humanitarian situations before examining the “migration impact” and the EU response (including funding figures), and a relatively lengthy section on the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross
  • The first of two questions that ends the paper is concerned with “the situation on Afghan migrants, including on criminal cases,” indicating the chief concern is with Afghans in the EU

 

5. Annual report on cooperation between Frontex and third countries in 2023

– Presentation by Frontex

– Information by the Commission

= Exchange of views

 

6. Follow-up on the implementation of the Talent Partnerships

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

7. AOB

– EU-U.S. SOM on JHA (Brussels, 17-18 October)

– Information by the Presidency

– Commission’s planned engagement on the implementation of the “Toolbox addressing the use of commercial means of transport to facilitate irregular migration to the EU” including with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

– Information by the Commission

 

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18 July 2024

(return to top)

Format: 2+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3385/24

 

2. Presentation of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency

– Presentation by the Presidency

 

3. Migratory situation on the Central Mediterranean route (Tunisia, Libya, Egypt)

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

11373/24 (to be issued)

• Key points:
  • Egypt, Libya and Tunisia are countries “of outstanding importance” and “anti-smuggling and border protection efforts” by Libyan and Tunisian authorities have been important in limiting departures
  • Following the EU-Egypt deal of March 2024, “the Egyptian side has not yet shown interest in concluding a joint statement on migration and mobility,” and appears uninterested in an agreement with Europol, but “technical work” continues
  • The document also praises cooperation with Tunisia, but notes a lack of interest in signing an agreement with Europol
  • Two EU missions have gone to Libya this year, where they have “discussed a comprehensive migration agenda,” and the document notes that cooperation could include work on “prevention of departures”

 

4. Libya: strategic discussion on the follow-up to recent developments

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

 

5. The current situation in Sudan and its impact on the region

– Presentation by UNHCR and IOM
– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

11375/24 (to be issued)

• Key points:
  • Despite the enormous scale of the disaster caused by the conflict in Sudan, the number of Sudanese citizens arriving in the EU was “relatively” low between April 2023 and May 2024, at 8,162
  • The document outlines the situation for displaced people, who number in the tens of millions, both within Sudan and in neighbouring countries such as Chad and Egypt
  • The document makes no recommendations or proposals for EU action, but does say that the situation in Sudan “deserves more attention”

 

6. Update on the state of play of external cooperation in the field of migration policy

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

11374/24 (to be issued)

• Key points:
  • A lengthy document which is regularly updated and circulated amongst delegations in the Council
  • It includes listings of meetings and events related to bilateral dialogues between the EU and other states, as well as EU involvement with multilateral processes
  • Useful for identifying meetings and events for which requests for access to documents can be filed

 

7. AOB

– EU – US Ministerial Meeting on JHA, 20-21 June 2024, Brussels
= Debrief by the Presidency

– Budapest Process Senior Officials Meeting, 27 June 2024, Stockholm
= Debrief by the Presidency

 

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6 June 2024

(return to top)

Format: 2+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3024/1/24 REV 1

2. Migration situation in the Great Lakes region

– Presentation by ICRC and UNHCR
– Information by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

3. State of play in the field of financing of external migration-related activities, including the Team Europe initiatives

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

4. State of play of cooperation of the EU with Tunisia

– Presentation by IOM
– Presentation by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) (tbc)
– Information by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

5. State of play of cooperation of the EU with Morocco

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

6. Overview of the activities and achievements during the BE Presidency

7. Presentation of the priorities of the upcoming HU Presidency

8. AOB

– Missing Migrants: follow-up of the discussion at EMWP on 14 March 2024
– Information by the Presidency WK 7772/24 (to be issued)

• • • Proposes two text templates for inclusion in EU migration action plans: a standard paragraph recognising “the urgency to address” missing migrants and a longer guidance paragraph that suggests the EU will “regularly assess whether its cooperation agreement with ‘third country’ creates or exacerbates the risk of migrants going missing.”
    • While acknowledging that people go missing “during dangerous journeys by land or sea” and may be “alive without access to means of communication, for example in a place of detention,” the document primarily proposes “improving border management practices” in non-EU partner countries as a solution.
    • The template paragraph includes other measures such as “humane management” of the bodies of deceased migrants, support for their families through “dedicated support and referral programs,” and data collection initiatives to locate missing migrants.

– EU – US Ministerial Meeting on JHA on 20 and 21 June 2024
– Information by the Presidency on the preparation of the meeting
– Tackling Migrant Smuggling in the Digital Domain – Conference on 29 and 30 April 2024
– Debrief by the Commission
– Khartoum Process
– Information by the Commission on governance and EU MS Chairmanship in 2025

 

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17 May 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 2267/1/24 REV 1]

 

2. Partnerships for skills mobility – Follow-up on Conference held on 22 March 2024 organised by ICMPD, EPC, ENABEL and Egmont Institute

– Presentation of the background document by the organizers of the Conference

= Exchange of views

WK 6102/2024 (to be issued)

 

3. Post-return assistance and sustainable reintegration: coordination between actors and engagement of countries of origin – Follow-up on Fedasil Conference held on 19-20 March 2024

– Presentation by the Presidency

= Exchange of views

8069/24 (to be issued)

Afternoon session

 

4. Migration situation on the Eastern Mediterranean route [footnote: Frontex, Europol and EUAA are invited to participate to the discussions on this item.]

– Presentation by IOM and UNHCR

– Information by the Commission and the EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

5. Future of the Budapest Process: Towards the new Ministerial Declaration and Action Plan – Ministerial Conference on 11-12 November in Budapest

– Presentation by the Hungarian delegation

= Exchange of views

8056/24

 

6. AOB

– Local and regional networks of the European Network of Immigration Liaison Officers – Follow-up to the EMWP on 14 March

– Information by the Presidency

– Khartoum Process – Senior Official Meeting, Cairo 17-18 April 2024

– Information by the Commission and by the German delegation

– Meetings with Pakistan: Talent Partnership roundtable, Joint Readmission Committee, Migration and Mobility Dialogue on 23-25 April 2024

– Information by the Commission

– North Macedonia joining the European Migration Network (EMN) as an Observer

– Information by the Commission

– Meeting with Libya: technical mission on 16 May

– Information by the Commission

 

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14 March 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 1711/1/24 REV 1]

 

2. Missing migrants along the migratory routes to the EU: challenges and EU response

– Presentation by ICRC, UNICEF and IOM [And: UNICEF Libya key advocacy messages on missing migrants]
– Intervention by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views
WK 2371/2024 (to be issued)

 

3. Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the evaluation in accordance with Article 121 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624, with a specific focus on the section related to the external dimension (articles 71 to 77)

– Presentation by the Presidency [Frontex is invited to participate to the discussions on this subitem.]
– Presentation by the Commission [Frontex is invited to participate to the discussions on this subitem.]
– Intervention by Frontex [Frontex is invited to participate to the discussions on this subitem.]
= Exchange of views
5490/24 [The Commission’s report on the external evaluation of Frontex. The report was also discussed in SCIFA on 20 February 2024. There are two annexes to the report that are not listed in this agenda: ADD 1, an action plan; and ADD 2, the external evaluation itself.]
6565/24 (to be issued) [‘Presidency discussion paper – Evaluation of the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation – Cooperation with third countries’. A separate discussion paper on the evaluation report was circulated prior to the SCIFA meeting on 20 February 2024.]

 

4. Coordination of the local and regional networks of the European Network of Immigration Liaison Officers: Challenges and opportunities

– Presentation by the Presidency [Frontex is invited to participate to the discussions on this subitem.]
– Presentation by the Commission [Frontex is invited to participate to the discussions on this subitem.]
– Intervention by Frontex [Frontex is invited to participate to the discussions on this subitem.]
= Exchange of views
7245/24 (to be issued) [A discussion paper circulated by the Belgian Council Presidency, which notes that a discussion on the topic was held in IMEX (Expulsion) on 8 February, but the aim is “to broaden the scope of the discussion beyond the field of return… “Given the existence of the different types of European liaison officers and of those posted by the Member States, with corresponding mandates and administrative arrangements, there is a need to closely coordinate on the priority countries for their deployments”]

 

5. Follow-up on the implementation of the action plans on Pakistan and Afghanistan [Frontex, EUAA and Europol are invited to participate to the discussions on this item.]

– Overview by UNHCR of the situation of refugees in Pakistan and in neighbouring countries
– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

 

6. Follow-up on the implementation of the action plan on Libya [Frontex, EUAA and Europol are invited to participate to the discussions on this item.]

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

 

7. AOB

– EU-U.S. Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), 11/12 March, on JHA and kick off meeting, 25 January, on EU-US Irregular Migration Cooperation – Information by the Presidency and the Commission
– Expert Conference on return and reintegration, organised by FEDASIL, ICMPD and Frontex – Antwerp, 19-20 March 2024 – Information by the Presidency
– Conference on “Mobility and labour dynamics after the EU Year of Skills: Are we fit for the future?”, organised by Egmont Institute, the ICMPD, the EPC and Enabel – Brussels, 22 March 2024 – Information by the Presidency

 

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12 February 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 1236/1/24 REV 1]

 

2. EUROMED Process – Presentation by ICMPD = Exchange of views

 

3. Update on the state of play of external cooperation in the field of migration policy

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views
5484/24 [The document was reported on by Migration-Control.info here. A previous version is available here.]

 

4. Migratory consequences of the situation in Niger on the Central and Western Mediterranean routes

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

 

5. Follow-up with Mauritania on migratory issues

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views
5489/24 [A note from the Commission: ‘Commission’s intention to enter into negotiation for a non-legally binding framework document on behalf of the EU to launch a migration partnership and dialogue with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania’. See analysis of the note here.]

 

6. AOB

– Budapest Process Annual Senior Officials Meeting, 5 December 2023, Istanbul – Information by HU
– 14th Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD)-Summit, 23-25 January 2024, Geneva – Information by FR
– Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Region– 11 March 2024 – Information by the Presidency
– Samoa Agreement – Chapter on Migration and Mobility – Information by the Presidency
– EU-U.S. SOM on JHA, 11-12 March 2024 – Information by the Presidency

 

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28 November 2023

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 5215/1/23 REV 1]

 

2. Safe Mobility Offices

– Presentation by the US Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration
= Exchange of views

[This presentation has been requested, but so far has not been released. Document 15533/23, listed under item 4 in the agenda, includes the statement: “For example, the US-sponsored (and IOM- and UNHCR-driven) Safe Mobility Offices (SMOs) in Guatemala, Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador – which could be expanded to other Latin American countries – are formally intended to facilitate access to legal migration channels, family reunification and access to temporary work visas for migrants who want to reach the US or third countries including Spain.”]

 

3. State of play in the field of financing of external migration-related activities, including the Team Europe initiatives

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views
15986/23 + ADD 1, ADD 2 [A report by the Commission that provides a useful overview of spending on the EU’s “external action”, including migration-related projects, but no detail on what is being done beyond general descriptions.]

 

4. New legal pathways: Labour migration

– Presentation by the Presidency and the Commission
= Exchange of views
15533/23 [The document, a discussion paper produced by the Spanish Council Presidency, notes the EU’s need for labour migration and says: “Consequently, more attention must be paid to expanding legal migration channels, making Europe an attractive place to work for third-country nationals with the skills and talents needed in Europe for our economies to thrive. Opening legal migration pathways to Europe will also contribute to reducing irregular migration flows. Measures to mobilise the domestic workforce through reskilling and upskilling initiatives, activating groups with lower labour market participation and promoting intra-EU mobility should be a top priority.”]

 

5. EU Action Plan on the Eastern Mediterranean migration route

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

 

6. Activities during the ES Presidency – summing-up

 

7. Presentation of the priorities of the upcoming BE Presidency

 

8. AOB

– EU-WB Ministerial Forum on JHA (Skopje, 26-27 October)
– EU-U.S. Ministerial Meeting (Washington D.C., 13-14 November)
– EUROMED Migration V Peer-to-Peer Conference on ‘Migration Capacity Partnerships in Times of Polycrisis’ (Alexandria, 6-8 November)
– Outreach to Somalian authorities

 

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6 October 2023

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 4291/1/23 REV 1]

 

2. Implementation of the Pact – Follow-up on the implementation of the action plan on Tunisia

– Presentation by the Commission and the EEAS
= Exchange of views

 

3. Migratory situation in Mauritania

– Presentation by the Presidency
= Exchange of views
13049/23 [A paper written to set out the EU’s ongoing cooperation with Mauritania on migration, and to set out current relations with the country. It was reported on by Migration-Control.info here.]

 

4. A Gender perspective in relation to migration

– Presentation by the Presidency
= Exchange of views
13048/23 [A discussion paper produced by the Spanish Council Presidency: “There is a need to recognise women migrants and female asylum seekers as a separate group, naming and including them, not just under a single category of “vulnerable” people, but as a group with particular needs, causes and migration pathways, often different from those of men.” Concludes with questions for delegations.]

 

5. Impact of the crisis in Sudan on the displacement situation in the region

– Presentation by the Presidency
= Exchange of views
13050/23 [Discussion paper circulated by the Spanish Council Presidency. It notes prior to the war that Sudan hosted around a million refugees and that there were over four million internally displaced people, as well as at least 20 million people in an acute situation of food insecurity: “This, in turn, could lead to increased displacement and migration.” It notes the need to monitor the situation closely in order to determine “whether the Sudanese hosted in neighbouring countries are considering engaging in secondary movement or the newly displaced within Sudan will also decide to flee to neighbouring countries.”

 

6. AOB

 

 

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8 September 2023

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 3805/23 REV 2]

 

2. Contribution of diasporas in the EU to their countries of origin

– Presentation by IOM and ICMPD
= Exchange of views
11859/23 [Diaspora as a development agent – remittances and beyond. Statewatch reported on the document here: Spanish Council Presidency: how can we use the diaspora population as leverage for migration control?]

 

3.  Freedom of movements on West-African migration trends

– Presentation by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
= Exchange of views

 

4. Implementation of the Pact – Follow-up on the implementation of the action plans on Niger and Nigeria [Frontex, EUAA and Europol are invited to participate to the discussions on this item]

– Presentation by the Presidency
= Exchange of views
11860/23 [Presidency discussion paper. Statewatch reported on the document here: After the Niger coup, Spanish Council Presidency asks: “How can we continue cooperation on migration and border management?”]

 

5. Commission’s Assessment of third countries’ level of cooperation on readmission in 2022(Article 25a of the Visa Code) [discussion in Mixed Committee format]

– Presentation by the Commission
= Exchange of views
11941/23 EU RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED + ADD 1 [Commission report. Statewatch reported on the document here: Videoconference identification part of push to digitalize EU deportation procedures]

 

6. AOB

– Frontex working arrangements in Africa
– MOCADEM Actions files on Senegal and Gambia to be approved by COREPER (poss.)
– EU-US SOM on JHA (5-6 Oct.) and EU-US Ministerial on JHA (13-14 Nov.)

Meetings

• Other documents
• 26 March 2026
• 18 February 2026
• 28 November 2025
• 17 October 2025
• 26 September 2025
• 23 July 2025
• 19 June 2025
• 29 April 2025
• 7 April 2025
• 17 February 2025
• 12 September 2024
• 16 July 2024
• 20 June 2024
• 23 May 2024
• 19 April 2024
• 25 March 2024
• 22 February 2024
• 16 February 2024
• 27 November 2023
• 25 October 2023
• 29 September 2023
• 22 September 2023

Please note: All documents listed (whether officially numbered or referred to otherwise, for example as a presentation) have been requested by Statewatch. If there is a link to the document, the request was successful or it has been obtained via other means. If there is no link to a document, the request is still pending. Where access has been refused or only partial access has been granted a note is included. Text in square brackets is an addition to the original agenda.

 

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Other documents

Implementation report – Updated action file on the MOCADEM follow up to actions 1-13 of the EU Action Plan on the Central Mediterranean (WK 11227/2024 INIT, LIMITE, 23 September 2024, pdf)

Key points:

• Extensive censorship, including of section titles
• The only parts that not censored concern some information relating to Tunisia (projects launched in 2023), and parts of the section on “Talent Partnerships”

 

Action File to follow up on the EU action plan for the Eastern Mediterranean route – Implementation report (WK 11274/2024 INIT, LIMITE, 20 September 2024, pdf)

• Previous version: WK 10190/24 INIT (LIMITE, 22 July 2024, pdf)

Key points from 20 September 2024 document:

• Provides updates on an extensive list of activities in eastern Mediterranean states
• Covers:
  • “prevention of departures” and anti-smuggling efforts
  • legal migration
  • border management
  • deportation and readmission
  • national migration and asylum systems

 

Implementation report – Pakistan (WK 9925/2024 INIT, LIMITE, 11 July 2024, pdf)

• Previous version: WK 7048/2024 INIT (21 May 2024, LIMITE, pdf)

Key points from 11 July 2024 document:

• Document covers matters prior to July 2024 (the date of the document), with little information on planned future initiatives
• One point of interest concerns the signing of a new agreement on a Return Case Management System (RCMS), used to facilitate the deportation of Pakistani nationals from the EU
• A small amount of text is censored

Updated Action file to follow up on the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans (WK 6768/2024 INIT, LIMITE, 17 May 2024, pdf)

Key points:

• Joint multi-year asylum roadmaps with all Western Balkans states were up for adoption in 2024
• Four actions include no detail and are listed as only involving “Actions in the European Union”:
  • ensure accurate registration in Eurodac;
  • set up pilot projects on fast asylum procedures;
  • implement the roadmap on Dublin transfers; step up “the comprehensive migration management team in Greece, consider other [member states]”
• The document demonstrates the impact EU requirements have had on Western Balkans’ countries visa policies, with many visa-free schemes ended

---

26 March 2026

Agenda: WK 4016 2026 (Not yet publically available)

---

18 February 2026

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 1269/2026 (pdf)

1. Update of the Central Mediterranean route matrix

= Exchange of views

WK 1272/2026 INIT (to be issued)

2. The Gambia: Update on the implementation of the action file

= Exchange of views

WK 1273/2026 INIT (to be issued)

3. Comprehensive partnerships – Egypt, Mauritania, Tunisia, Jordan, (Lebanon and Senegal)

4. AOB

– Visits and missions

– Information on relevant meetings

---

28 November 2025

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 15853 2025 (pdf)

1. Mauritania: Update on the implementation of the action file

= Exchange of views
WK 15854/2025 INIT 

2. Update of the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes matrix

= Exchange of views
WK 15855/2025 INIT 

3. Proposal to harmonise the citing and order of references to Human Rights and a Human Rights-Based Approach across action fiches

= Exchange of views
WK 15856/2025 INIT (to be issued)

4. Comprehensive partnerships – Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, (Lebanon and Senegal)

– The Pact for the Mediterranean
– Visits and missions
– Information on relevant meetings
– EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs, 30-31
October

5. AOB

– Visits and missions
– Information on relevant meetings

6. Transitioning of the Presidency from Denmark to Cyprus

– Presentations by the outgoing and incoming Presidencies

---

17 October 2025

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 13001/2025 INIT (pdf)

1. Iraq: Update on the implementation of the action file

= Exchange of views
WK 13004/2025 (to be issued)

2. Bangladesh: Update on the implementation of the action file

= Exchange of views
WK 13003/2025 (to be issued)

3. Comprehensive partnerships – Egypt, Mauritania, Tunisia, Jordan, (Lebanon and
Senegal)

= Exchange of views
WK 11277 /2025 (to be issued)

4. AOB

– The Pact for the Mediterranean
– Visits and missions
– Information on relevant meetings
– EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs, 30-31
October

---

26 September 2025

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 11272/2025 INIT (pdf)

1. Egypt: Update on the implementation of the action file

– Presentation by EMLO in Cairo, followed by Q&A
= Exchange of views
WK 11275/2025 (to be issued)

2. Afghanistan: Update on the implementation of the action file

= Exchange of views
WK 11276/2025 (to be issued)

3. Tunisia: Update on the implementation of the action file

= Exchange of views
WK 11277 /2025 (to be issued)

4. Comprehensive partnerships – Mauritania, Jordan, (Lebanon and Senegal)

– Presentation by the Polish Presidency

5. AOB

– Visits and missions
– Information on relevant meetings

---

23 July 2025

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 8805 2025 INIT (Not publically available)

---

19 June 2025

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 7359/2025 INIT (pdf)

1. Update of the Western Balkans route matrix

– Presentation by the IOM on the latest migratory developments, followed by Q&A
= Exchange of views
WK 7358/2025 (to be issued)

2. Update of the Central Mediterranean route matrix

= Exchange of views
WK 6407/2025 REV 1

3. Comprehensive partnerships – Tunisia, Mauritania, Egypt, Jordan, (Lebanon)

4. Overview of the activities and achievements during the Polish Presidency

– Presentation by the Polish Presidency

5. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Danish Presidency

– Presentation by the Danish delegation

6. AOB

– Visits and missions
– Information on relevant meetings

---

29 April 2025

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 4679/2025 INIT (pdf)

1.Follow-up to COREPER discussion on Mocadem working methods

– Presentation of the websites with programming information on the FRiT and IPA funding by the Commission

2. Update of the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes matrix

= Exchange of views

WK 4681/2025 INIT (to be issued)

3. Comprehensive partnerships – Tunisia, Mauritania, Egypt, Jordan, (Lebanon)

4. AOB

– Visits and missions

– Information on relevant meetings

 

---

7 April 2025

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 3391/2025 INIT (pdf)

1. Follow-up to COREPER discussion on Mocadem working methods

– Presentation of the websites with programming information on the NDICI-GE, FRiT and IPA funding by the Commission [WK 4345/2025 INIT]

2. Addressing instrumentalisation of migration

– Follow-up to the Action file on preventing and countering the instrumentalisation of migrants and forcibly displaced people at the EU’s external border, including common messages
= Exchange of views

WK 3389 /2025 INIT (to be issued)

3. New regional action file on Ethiopia and Somalia

– Presentation by IOM and UNHCR followed by Q&A
– Presentation by EU Delegation to Ethiopia, followed by Q&A
= Exchange of views

WK 3390/2025 INIT (to be issued)

4. Comprehensive partnerships – Tunisia, Mauritania, Egypt, Jordan, (Lebanon)

5. AOB

– Visits and missions
– Information on relevant meetings

 

---

17 February 2025

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 893/2025 INIT (pdf)

1. Follow-up to COREPER discussion on Mocadem working methods

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Information from the Commission

= Exchange of views

WK 1200 /2025 INIT (to be issued)

2. Eastern Mediterranean Matrix: Update on the implementation of the action file

= Exchange of views

WK 894/2025 INIT (to be issued)

3. Mauritania: Update on the implementation of the action file

= Exchange of views

WK 896/2025 INIT (to be issued)

4. Partnerships and external migration cooperation

5. AOB

– Visits and missions

– Information on relevant meetings

 

---

12 September 2024

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 10547 /2024 REV 1

1. Further facilitating the effective operation of the MOCADEM – Streamlining the structure of Action Files

– Exchange of views

WK 11065/2024 INIT

 

2. Tunisia – Implementation report on the revised action file

– Exchange of views

WK 10548/2024 INIT

Key points:

• The document includes some telling tracked changes: an edited sentence on legal migration indicates a significant narrowing of the scope implied by the initial text
• Amongst the key message EU and member state officials should take to Tunisian officials: “Emphasize the importance of the protection of human rights of all migrants, including access to an asylum procedure, basic services and infrastructure, as well as of preventing and addressing all forms of violence against migrants” – an issue that the EU is supposedly taking seriously after press revelations about brutal violence by Tunisian officials
• The majority of the uncensored parts of the text concern matters from 2023 or early 2024, however the document notes that an “anti-smuggling contract” was supposed to be signed in the last quarter of 2024, to reinforce repressive capabilities of Tunisian authorities

 

3. The Gambia – Implementation report on the revised action file

– Exchange of views

WK 10551/2024 INIT

• Readmission policy is clearly a priority: it is the first action listed in the document and comes up again under point 6
• “Germany plans to donate boats to the Gambian government” for border control, and Spain’s Guardia Civil may provide training
• The EU is providing 46m EUR for “improved Security, Migration and Border management”
• The German government is also providing training to Gambian border guards on document fraud and “coastal security”
• Funding for the “Common Operational Partnership” on migrant smuggling has come from the EU’s aid and development budget (NDICI) rather than the Internal Security Fund, as was first planned
• EU also made available 100m EUR for West African states from NDICI for anti-smuggling work
• Action 9 (last one in the list) is entirely censored

 

4. Comprehensive partnerships: Tunisia, Mauritania, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan

– Update and state of play

 

5. AOB

– Trips and visits

 

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16 July 2024

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 9471/24 INIT

1. Presentation of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency in the external dimension of migration

[WK 10464/2024 INIT]

 

2. Eastern Mediterranean Matrix – Implementation report

– Exchange of views

(doc. to be issued) [WK 10190/2024 INIT]

 

3. Migration cooperation with Libya

– Debrief on the conference of 17 July in Libya

– Update on cooperation with Libyan stakeholders

 

4. Comprehensive partnerships: Tunisia, Mauritania, Egypt, (Lebanon)

– Update on implementation

 

5. AOB

– Information on trips and visits

 

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20 June 2024

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 8319/2024 REV 2

1. External dimension of migration: Coordination of actions at local level

– Presentation by the Presidency

= Exchange of views

Doc. 8321/24

 

2. Nigeria – update on the implementation of the action file

– Oral update by the Commission and EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

3. Libya

– Coordination of participation in conference on illegal migration and border security in Libya on 17 July 2024

 

4. Partnerships and external migration cooperation

– Update on the implementation of partnerships with Tunisia and Mauritania

– State of play on the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership with Egypt

– Way forward on Lebanon

 

5. Priorities of the incoming presidency

– Presentation by the Hungarian delegation

 

6. AOB

– Trips and visits

– Letter to the Presidency from the Chair of the LIBE Committee concerning MOCADEM (doc. 10917/24) and draft reply (doc. 10920/1/24) [These letters were the subject of the editorial in the July 2024 edition of the bulletin]

 

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23 May 2024

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 6993/2024 INIT

1. Pakistan – Implementation report

– Exchange of views

(doc. to be issued)

 

2. Senegal – update on the implementation of the action file

– Oral update by the Commission and EEAS

– Exchange of views

 

3. Partnerships

– Update on the implementation of partnerships with Tunisia and Mauritania

– State of play on the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership with Egypt

 

4. AOB

– Trips and visits

 

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19 April 2024

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 5247/2024 REV 1

 

1. Western Balkans

– Update of the Action file to follow up on the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans [WK 5249/2024 INIT: Extensive information on EU and member state activities with/in Western Balkans states relating to border controls, asylum and reception/detention, action against human smuggling and trafficking, cooperation on deportation and readmission, and alignment with EU visa policy]

= Exchange of views

(doc. to be issued)

 

2. Partnerships

– Update on the implementation of partnerships with Tunisia and Mauritania

[WK 5625/2024 INIT: Update of the “action file” on Mauritania, more notes on which are below in WK 3934/2024 INIT]

– State of play on the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership with Egypt

 

3. AOB

– Trips and visits

 

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25 March 2024

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 3933/2024 INIT

 

1. Niger

– Migratory situation and state of play of cooperation following the coup in July 2023 – update by the Commission and EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

2. Mauritania

– Debrief from the Commissioner’s visit and signature of the Joint Declaration, as well as the negotiations of the Action Plan

– Update of the action file

= Exchange of views

(doc. to follow)

[WK 3934/2024 INIT, Revised action file “Mauritania – Strengthening cooperation on migration”: sets out the objectives of the EU’s cooperation with Mauritania, and lists a number of actions to be developed based on the “Joint Declaration on Migration”, which fall under: socio-economic and employment opportunities (in Mauritania); “protection and asylum”; legal migration and mobility; irregular migration, migrant smuggling, human trafficking, return and readmission; border management, surveillance and control. An annex includes “common messages” for EU officials though a number of these, like other parts of the document, are censored.]

 

3. Egypt

– Debrief from the visit of the Commission President and signature of the Strategic Partnership, and way forward

 

4. AOB

– Tunisia – update on implementation of the MoU on a strategic and global partnership

– Debrief on Migration and Mobility Dialogue & Talent Partnership Roundtable for Bangladesh (05/03) in Brussels

– Trips and visits:

= Information on the preparation of the upcoming EU-Pakistan Migration and Mobility Dialogue

 

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22 February 2024

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 2672/2024 INIT

 

1. Morocco

– Morocco’s migration policy

– State of play of ongoing bilateral and multilateral cooperation

= Exchange of views

WK 2411/2024 REV 1 [Large the same content as the document discussed at the meeting on 16 February, WK 1894/2024 INIT; see also the original version, WK 2411/2024]

 

2. Egypt

– Way forward on the implementation of the migration related part of the Strategic

Partnership with Egypt

= Exchange of views

 

3. AOB

– Trips and visits

 

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16 February 2024

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 1684/2024 REV 1

 

1. Libya

– Migratory situation – presentation by the representatives of UNHCR and IOM followed by Q and A

– Mission to Libya – debriefing by the Commission and EEAS

= Exchange of views

 

2. Tunisia

– Migratory situation – presentation by the representatives of UNHCR and IOM followed by Q and A

– MoU EU-Tunisia – update on the operational implementation by the Commission and EEAS, including a debriefing on the recent mission

= Exchange of views

WK 1894 2024 INIT [A document providing an overview of funding to Tunisia provided through DG NEAR, currently a total of €181.3 million. Programme areas cover: border management and search and rescue; anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling; migration governance; support for the diaspora and the social and economic inclusion of migrants, returning migrants and host communities; legal migration and labour mobility]

 

3. Morocco

– Morocco’s migration policy

– State of play of ongoing bilateral and multilateral cooperation

= Exchange of views

WK 2411/2024 REV 1 [Covers similar thematic areas as in the EU Action Plan on Western Mediterranean in WK 11289/2023: significance to Western Med and Atlantic routes; EU considers Morocco a key partner on migration; some parts on Team Europe and other EU partnerships censored;large section on returns/readmission is substantially censored; the EU has given Morocco €152m EU for border management. See also the original: WK 2411/2024 INIT]

 

4. Egypt

– Way forward on the implementation of the migration related part of the Strategic Partnership with Egypt

= Exchange of views

 

5. AOB

• Trips and visits

 

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27 November 2023

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 15552/2023 REV 1

 

1. Action File to follow up on the EU action plan for the Eastern Mediterranean route (matrix) = Exchange of views

WK 15557/2023 INIT [A lengthy table showing the array of actions being put in place to control movement along the so-called Eastern Mediterranean route. A substantial part of the document is, unsurprisingly, focused on Turkey, but it also refers to cooperation with Bangladesh and Pakistan and a number of actions within EU member states.

 

2. Tunisia = Oral briefing on the operational work and further update on the revised action file by the Commission = Exchange of views

WK 15558/2023 INIT [The Commission will provide a €67m multi-stage-package by the end of the year including spare parts, engines and material to help restart search and rescue operations, training, and support to increase voluntary return; it also refers to €17m for the coast guard, but it is unclear if this is part of the previously-stated amount]

 

3. Libya = Oral briefing on the operational work and further update on the implementation report by the Commission = Exchange of views

 

4. Presentation of activities during the Spanish presidency

 

5. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming presidency

 

6. AOB

– Trips and visits

– EU/Mauritania SOM

 

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25 October 2023

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 13370/2023 INIT

 

1. Mauritania – Update of the action file = Exchange of views

 

2. Tunisia – Update on the revised action file = Exchange of views (WK 13459/2023 INIT)

[The action file sets out the EU’s objectives for cooperation with Tunisia, as well as actions being implemented, under the following headings: Political and technical outreach; Prevent irregular arrivals and departures, counter-smuggling, increase SAR; Increase assisted voluntary returns from Tunisia and sustainable reintegration in sub-Saharan Africa and reinforce protection of those in need; Strengthen return and reintegration cooperation between Tunisia and the EU; Highlight the importance the EU attaches to legal migration. The annex includes “common messages” for EU officials, some of which, like other content in the document, are censored]

 

3. Libya – implementation report = Exchange of views (WK 13493/2023 INIT)

 

4. Bosnia and Herzegovina – implementation report = Exchange of views (WK 13494/2023 INIT)

[Much of the document refers to BiH’s intention to accede to the EU, and thus relates to legal alignment. The objectives set out in the document are:Build dialogue, under Stabilisation and Association Agreement; Increase administrative capacity, towards EU accession; Consolidate reception and asylum system; Support border management, strengthen returns; Combat smuggling/trafficking. An array of actions are listed in more detail, under the headings: Political and technical awareness-raising for the implementation of a migration management and reception system in line with EU standards; Strengthening the asylum system and reception capacities; Border management and Frontex action; Building capacity for return and readmission; Combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks. Various sections of the document are censored]

 

5. Iraq – information on cooperation on return and readmission

 

6. AOB

• Trips and visits
• Information on the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum, migration part (Skopje, 26-27 October 2023)

 

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29 September 2023

(return to top)

Agenda: WK 11868/23

 

1. Action file to follow up on the EU Action Plan on Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes (matrix) [WK 11289/2023 INIT]

[The document is heavily-censored, with 13 of 26 pages fully blacked out. Text that is available is mainly actions, under the following headings: Strengthen cooperation with partner countries; Prevent irregular migration by combatting smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings; Border management; Protection and legal pathways; Labour migration and partnerships]

 

2. Nigeria – revised action file [WK 11281/2023 INIT]

[Amongst the “specific objectives” in the document are addressing root causes, enhancing operational cooperation, and enhancing cooperation on returns. Actions, many of which are censored, come under various headings: Political and technical outreach; Address the root causes of irregular migration and promote legal migration pathways; Measures to combat the smuggling of migrants, trafficking in human beings and support border management; Support measures for protection; Conclusion of the readmission agreement, and strengthening readmission support actions. An annex includes “common messages” for EU officials]

 

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22 September 2023

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Agenda: WK 11278/2023 INIT

 

1. Tunisia

Presentation by the Commission of the implementation of the external migration part of the MoU with Tunisia and the 10 Point Plan for Lampedusa

            = Exchange of views

 

2. AOB

Meetings

• 24 March 2026
• 12 February 2026
• 26 November 2025
• 27 October 2025
• 10 April 2025
• 13 February 2025
• 14 November 2024
• 27 September 2024
• 10 April 2024
• 20 February 2024
• 23 November 2023

Please note: All documents listed (whether officially numbered or referred to otherwise, for example as a presentation) have been requested by Statewatch. If there is a link to the document, the request was successful or it has been obtained via other means. If there is no link to a document, the request is still pending. Where access has been refused or only partial access has been granted a note is included. Text in square brackets is an addition to the original agenda.

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24 March 2026

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 1951/1/26

2. Situational awareness migratory and asylum situation in the EU

= Presentation by Frontex and EUAA

3. Operationalisation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum – Schengen relevant issues: State of play

Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

4. Digitalisation of case management in the area of return, readmission and reintegration

= Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

7051/26

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FRONTIERS AND ASYLUM

5. Temporary protection – future steps

= Strategic discussion

7053/26

6. The use of AI in asylum and migration management

= Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
7052/26

7. Operationalisation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum – non-Schengen relevant issues: State of play

= Exchange of views

8. AOB

‒ Sanctions regime addressing migrant smuggling, human trafficking or other forms of
organised crime – information by EEAS

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12 February 2026

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 1400/26

2. Situational awareness migratory and asylum situation in the EU

= Presentation by Frontex and EUAA

3. EU Pact on Migration and Asylum – Schengen relevant issues: Operationalisation

a) State of play = Presentation by Commission followed by an exchange of views

b) European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy = Presentation by Commission followed by an exchange of views

5848/26

4. Border procedure, restrictions of the freedom of movement, detention and alternatives to detention – Schengen relevant issues

= Presentation by Commission, Frontex and EUAA

= Strategic discussion

5735/26 (to be issued)

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FRONTIERS AND ASYLUM

5. External Dimension of Migration: EU engagement and support provision to countries of transit: Lebanon and Libya

= Strategic discussion

5736/26 (to be issued)

6. EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: Operationalisation

= Exchange of views

7. Border procedure

= Exchange of views

8. AOB

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26 November 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 5073/1/25

2. Mutual recognition of return decisions

= Strategic discussion
15455/25 (to be issued)

3. The future of Frontex: Consolidation of Council’s guidance for the Commission’s
proposal

= Information by the Presidency

4. Entry/exit system: state of play

= Information by Commission and eu-LISA followed by an exchange of views

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FRONTIERS AND ASYLUM

5. Situational overview migratory situation in the EU

= Presentation by Frontex and EUAA

6. Follow-up on the Council recommendation on a coordinated approach to transition
away from temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine. Transition to
other statuses

= Strategic discussion
15457/25

7. EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: State of play of the implementation4
a) European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy

= Presentation by Commission

b) Second state of play report on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and
Asylum

= Presentation by Commission

c) Establishment of independent monitoring mechanisms by Member States: best
practices

= Presentation by FRA

d) State of play of the implementation of Eurodac

= Presentation by eu-LISA

e) Solidarity Package

= Information by Presidency

8. Priorities of the Cypriot Presidency

= Presentation by CY

9. AOB

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27 October 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 4608/1/25

2. Modalities regarding return hubs

= Strategic discussion

13991/25 (to be issued)

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FRONTIERS AND ASYLUM

3. Follow-up on the Council recommendation on a coordinated approach to the transition out of temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine. Operationalisation of the pathways for return to Ukraine

= Strategic discussion
13992/25 (to be issued)

4. Impact of the current situation in Syria on asylum case management practices and implications for returns

= Strategic discussion
13993/25 (to be issued)

5. State of play regarding the legislative proposals currently under discussion: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 as regards the application of the ‘safe third country’ and Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 as regards the establishment of a list of safe countries of origin at Union level

= State of play

6. AOB

 

 

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10 April 2025

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum – Schengen relevant issues: state of play

– Presentation by Commission

3. Any other business

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC Information from France and Germany

 

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FRONTIERS AND ASYLUM

4. Implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum: state of play

– Information by Commission

 

5. Future of temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine and possible exit strategies

= Exchange of views

7567/25

 

6. Cooperation with third countries in the area of migration – role of comprehensive partnerships

= Exchange of views

7569/25

 

7. Any other business

 

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13 February 2025

(return to top)

Format 2+2

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FRONTIERS AND ASYLUM

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Towards a more effective implementation of the safe third country concept

– Presentation by the Commission

= Exchange of views

5680/25 (to be issued)

 

3. Syria – state of play and further steps

a) State of play in Syria

– Presentation by UNHCR

b) Situation of Syrian asylum seekers and refugees in the EU and going back home

– Presentation by the EUAA

= Exchange of views

 

4. Implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum: state of play

– Presentation by the Commission

 

MIXED COMMITTEE

5. Returns – strategic discussion ahead of the expected new return framework

– Presentation by the Commission

= Exchange of views

5681/25 (to be issued)

 

6. Implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum – Schengen relevant issues: state of play3

– Information by the Commission

 

7. Any other business

 

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14 November 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Increasing the effectiveness of returns – the opportunities and challenges of innovative solutions

= Exchange of views

15071/24 (to be issued)

Key points:

• A short document on the topic of “return hubs,” better-described as proposal for deportation camps in non-EU states
• “For the purpose of the discussion at SCIFA, the main principle of a “return hub” is that once a third country national has been issued a return decision but the third-country national in question cannot be promptly returned to his/her country of origin… the individual is transferred to a “return hub” in a third country where he/she will remain until his/her return is carried out”
• “…we need to assess how the concept of “return hubs” can be made to fit within the EU legal framework. Furthermore, the concept must include sufficient guarantees to ensure compliance with international legal obligations”

 

3. Operationalisation and implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact – Schengen relevant issues: update and state of play

– Presentation by the Commission

= Exchange of views

 

4. Any other business

 

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FRONTIERS AND ASYLUM

5. Operationalisation and implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact: update and state of play

= Exchange of views

 

6. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Polish Presidency

– Presentation by the Polish delegation

 

7. Any other business

 

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27 September 2024

(return to top)

Format 2+2

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 4081/2/24 REV 2

 

2. Operationalisation and implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact – Schengen
relevant issues: update and state of play

– Presentation by the Commission

= Exchange of views

 

3. Making the return systems more effective: challenges linked to public safety and national security

= Exchange of views

13170/24 (to be issued)

• Key points:
  • Recounts a number of initiatives launched or possibilities to discussed to increase deportations
  • Key focus is “challenges linked to public safety and national security posed by persons who cannot be returned,” preparing for a discussion at the SCIFA meeting on 27 September
  • Delegations are asked whether they could envisage EU action on deportation of individuals posing security threats “who come from sensitive third countries,” and how EU agencies could be involved

 

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FRONTIERS AND ASYLUM

4. Operationalisation and implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact: update and state of play

– Presentation by the Commission [WK 12049/24 INIT]

= Exchange of views

[Presentation by the European Union Agency for Asylum, EUAA – General workflows and capacity needs for the screening and for the border procedures, WK 12018/2024 INIT, 27 September 2024]

 

5. Ukrainian temporary protection beneficiaries in the EU: state of play

= Exchange of views

13171/24 (to be issued)

• Key points:
  • Notes the significant efforts that has gone into welcoming Ukraine refugees, who are beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive
  • The paper is primarily concerned with “future decisions on shaping the transition out of temporary protection”
  • Discussion to be held at the SCIFA meeting on 27 September

 

6. Any other business

 

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10 April 2024

(return to top)

Format 2+2

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 2262/24

 

2. Operationalisation and implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact – Schengen relevant aspects

– Presentation by the Commission of the next steps

= Exchange of views

8015/24 (to be issued)

 

3. Making the return systems more effective: a reflection towards the future of the EU return policy

= Exchange of views

8016/24 (to be issued)

 

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION FRONTIERS AND ASYLUM

4. Operationalisation and implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact

Presentation by the Commission of the next steps

= Exchange of views

8015/24 (to be issued)

[See: EU: Council eyes role in “operationalising” the Pact on Migration and Asylum]

 

5. Any other business

• Information exchange between counter-terrorism authorities and migration and asylum authorities

– Presidency report of discussion at TWP of 4/3/2024

• Discussion on EU-Armenia visa liberalization

– Information by the Czech delegation.

 

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20 February 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 1507/1/24 REV 1]

 

2. Evaluation of the EBCG Regulation

– Presentation by the Commission
= Exchange of views
6148/24 [Final report on the evaluation of the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation – Discussion paper. Designed to frame discussion in SCIFA on the evaluation of Frontex, it notes: “The evaluation identified a number of challenges that currently limit the effectiveness of the Regulation, though most of the identified challenges do not stem from the Regulation itself but are the result of organisational, technical or operational shortcomings.”]
5490/24 + ADD 1–ADD 2 [Commission report on the external evaluation, the action plan to support implementation of the Frontex Regulation, and the external evaluation itself]

 

3. Migration and asylum situation

– Presentation by the Commission and agencies on the situational picture

– Presentation by the agencies of the Joint Analysis on “Secondary Movements with a Regional Focus”

= Exchange of views

6095/24 [Annual overview of the migratory situation 2023: “Against the backdrop of the migratory situation at the EU’s external borders in 2023 as outlined in the below background paper and guiding question for the exchange of views, the Presidency proposes to discuss the main migratory challenges in the short term.”]

WK 595/2024 INIT

 

4. Pact on Migration and Asylum – State of play and next steps

– Information by the Presidency and the Commission

 

5. Convergence of asylum decisions

– Presentation by the EUAA of the main findings of the “Pilot Convergence Analysis 2023”
= Exchange of views
6029/24 [Convergence of decisions on applications for international protection – Discussion paper: “This paper provides an overview of the main results of the EUAA pilot study on convergence. Against this background, delegations are invited for a first general reflection on further ways forward towards greater convergence, and the nexus between convergence and the implementation.”]
of the Pact.
WK 1800/2024 INIT [EU Asylum Agency, Pilot Convergence Analysis 2023 – Final Report: “…the analysis offers unprecedented insights into the current state of the CEAS and an evidenced-based [sic] roadmap to further convergence.”]

 

6. Any other business

 

 

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23 November 2023

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 5275/1/23 REV 1]

 

2. Making the return systems more effective = Exchange of views

= Exchange of views
15242/23

[The document, entitled, ‘Making the return systems more effective – Discussion paper’, was produced by the Spanish Council Presidency. It discusses a number of issues concerning “the internal dimension of returns”. Statewatch previously reported on a related document: Deportations: “European return decision” in the works]

 

3. Way forward on the legal status of beneficiaries of temporary protection after 4 March 2025

= Exchange of views
15241/23

[The document is a note from the Spanish Council Presidency setting out the rights granted to Ukrainians under the Temporary Protection Directive. It notes a number of issues with granting temporary protection to such a large number of people but indicates support for the move, including after 2025 when the decision under the Temporary Protection Directive is due to expire. Member states are asked for their views on the matter.]

 

4. Financing of the external dimension of migration

= Exchange of views
15244/23

[The document is a Spanish Presidency discussion paper that notes the need for increased funds for externalisation “to maintain our credibility vis-à-vis our partner countries of origin and transit”. It notes that the numerous different budgets available for externalisation make monitoring and analysis difficult: “It is not always easy to know how much migration funding a third country is receiving at any given time.” The document also calls for investment in the Spanish Presidency’s proposed “preventive model”, reported on by Statewatch previously: Spanish Presidency: more funds needed for border externalisation if EU is to stay “credible vis-à-vis key third countries”]

 

5. Proposal for a Regulation establishing the EU Talent Pool

= Presentation by the Commission
15550/23 + ADD 1, ADD 2, ADD 3, ADD 4, ADD 5

 

6. Supporting Member States on talent attraction and labour market inclusion: the Spanish example

= Presentation of by the Commission and the Spanish Ministry of Social Inclusion

 

7. Priorities of the incoming Belgium Presidency

 

 

8. Any other business

 

Meetings

• 4 May 2026
• 27 March 2026
• 3 March 2026 
• 23 January 2026
• 10 December 2025
• 9 October 2025
• 19 September 2025
• 30 June 2025
• 6 May 2025
• 7 April 2025
• 13 March 2025
• 18 February 2025
• 27 January 2025
• 9 December 2024
• 15 November 2024
• 23 October 2024
• 18 September 2024
• 21 June 2024
• 21 May 2024
• 24 April 2024
• 26 March 2024
• 19 February 2024
• 15 January 2024
• 19 December 2023
• 16 November 2023
• 23 October 2023
• 21 September 2023

Please note: All documents listed (whether officially numbered or referred to otherwise, for example as a presentation) have been requested by Statewatch. If there is a link to the document, the request was successful or it has been obtained via other means. If there is no link to a document, the request is still pending. Where access has been refused or only partial access has been granted a note is included. Text in square brackets is an addition to the original agenda.

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4 May 2026

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 2521/1/26

2. EU visa policy strategy

a) Visa restrictive measures

– 8395/26

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

b) Common list of verified companies

– 8396/26

– Presentation by the Commission (written responses)

c) New assessment framework for visa exemptions

– 7217/1/26 REV 1 + ADD 1

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

3. Council Implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1341 on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council in respect of Ethiopia

– 8372/26

– Presentation by the Commission and approval

4. Schengen visas issued to Russian nationals: updated statistics for 2025

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

5. AOB

– Lawful use of previous visas

VISA WORKING PARTY

6. Negotiations on the visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan

7. AOB

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27 March 2026

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 1878/1/26

2. EU visa policy strategy – new assessment framework for visa exemptions and extended shortstays for selected categories of third-country nationals

– Exchange of views on the basis of Commission papers

– 7217/26, 7218/26

3. Pilot Analytical Activity on Fraudulently Obtained Visa

– Presentation by Frontex and exchange of views

4. Georgia: visa suspension mechanism

– Presentation by the Commission of the guidelines for implementation of Commission
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/496 and exchange of views

5. Visa reciprocity: Nicaragua

– Follow-up information by the Commission

6. Citizenship by investment programmes

– State of play and information by the Commission

7. AOB

– Revised VIS and EU Visa Application Platform: Interoperability Roadmap 2027-2028 –
information by the Presidency
– State of play of visa digitalization – information by the Commission
– Preparation of the 9th VSM report – information by the Commission
– Visa extensions for Iranian citizens in light of the war in the Middle East and the human
rights situation in the country – request by the EEAS
– Coordinated action on biometric requirements for Russian passports – information by
Germany
– Questionnaire on consular coverage – information by the Commission

VISA WORKING PARTY

8. Negotiations on the visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan

9. AOB

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3 March 2026

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 1661/1/26

2. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on EU visa policy strategy

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

– 5939/26

3. AOB

– The activation of the visa suspension mechanism against Georgia – information by the Commission on the next steps – Visa reciprocity: Nicaragua – information from the Commission 

VISA WORKING PARTY

4. Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – second round of negotiations (Astana, 25-26 February 2026) 

– Information by the Commission

5. AOB

Negotiations on a Framework agreement between the European Union and the United States of America on the exchange of information for security screenings and identity verifications relating to border procedures and applications for visa and its Annex – debriefing by the Presidency

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23 January 2026

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 1209/1/26

2. 8th report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council under the visa
suspension mechanism

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
– 17100/25 + ADD 1

3. The visa suspension mechanism and the situation in Georgia

– Information by the Commission on the activation of the suspension mechanism
– 5603/26

4. AOB

– 2025 US démarche on third-country nationals transiting the Schengen Area for the
purpose of illegal immigration to the United States
– Debriefing of the IMEX meeting of 13 January concerning the visa measures under
Article 25a
– Questionnaire on representation arrangements (Art. 8 Visa Code) – information by the
Commission
– Schengen Barometer – information by the Presidency on the discussions in the JHA
Counsellors (Schengen) of 16 December 2025 regarding issuance of tourist visas to
Russian citizens
– Actions taken by Estonia to mitigate the security threats posed by Russian ex-combatants
– information by Estonia
– Non-recognition of Russian Federation non-biometric passports in the Republic of Poland
– information by Poland
– Travel medical insurances issued by Russian companies – information by Sweden

VISA WORKING PARTY

5. Armenia VLD: First fact-finding mission on the implementation by Armenia of the Visa
Liberalisation Action Plan, supported by 5 MS experts under TAIEX: 8-12 December 2025,
Yerevan – information by the Commission

6. AOB

– Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – timing of the second round of negotiations
– Information by the Commission

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10 December 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 4806/1/25

2. Entry Exit System – state of play

– Presentation by the Commission and eu-LISA and exchange of views

3. Traveller risk screening for VIS and ETIAS

– Presentation by Frontex and exchange of views

4. The visa suspension mechanism and the situation in Georgia

– Information by the Commission and exchange of views

5. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Cyprus Presidency

6. Conclusions of the Danish Presidency

7. AOB

– Schengen Barometer – information by the Presidency on the discussions in the
Schengen Matters Working Party regarding issuance of tourist visas to Russian citizens.
– Article 25a of the Visa Code – debriefing by the Presidency of the discussions in the
IMEX (Expulsion) Working Party
– Implementing Decision establishing rules on the issuing of multiple-entry visas to
Russian Nationals residing in the Russian Federation and applying in the Russian
Federation for short-stay visas – presentation by the Commission
– 8
th report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council under the
visa suspension mechanism – update by the Commission
– The Commission’s EU Visa Policy Strategy – update by the Commission
– Digitalization of the visa procedure – update by the Commission on secondary
legislation
– EU-Western Balkans Ministerial forum on Justice and Home Affairs, Sarajevo 30-31
October 2025 – debriefing by the Presidency

VISA WORKING PARTY

8. Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – information by the Commission

9. AOB

– Armenia – Visa Liberalisation Dialogue Information by the Commission on the latest
meetings with Armenia1
– Recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations on a
framework agreement between the European Union and the United States of America
on the exchange of information for security screenings and identity verifications relating
to border procedures and applications for visa and its Annex – debriefing by the
Presidency of the discussions in IXIM1
– 8th meeting of the EU-ARMENIA Joint Visa Facilitation Committee – debriefing by
the Commission

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9 October 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 4074/25

2. Preparation of the Visa Strategy – exchange of views on the basis of a Commission paper

– 13255/25 (to be issued)

3. Visa shopping – best practices and way forward

– Information by the Commission on recent developments
– Presentation by Denmark and exchange of views
– 13256/25 (to be issued)

4. AOB

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending
Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism –
information by the Presidency on the state of play
– Possible activation of the visa suspension mechanism in regard to Georgia – information
by the Commission on the way forward
– Visa obligation for holders of diplomatic and service passports of Georgia – information
by the Presidency
– WK 10617/2025 REV 2 (to be issued)
– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an
application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel
application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the
European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as
regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24) – debriefing by the Presidency of
the discussions in the Frontiers Working Party

VISA WORKING PARTY

5. AOB

– Armenia – Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP) – update by the Commission1
– Recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations on a
framework agreement between the European Union and the United States of America
on the exchange of information for security screenings and identity verifications relating
to border procedures and applications for visa and its Annex – debriefing by the
Presidency of the discussions in IXIM

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19 September 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3735/1/25

2. Visa restrictions as a policy tool

– Reintroduction of visa obligation for holders of diplomatic, service and special
passports of Georgia – information by the Presidency and exchange of views on the way
forward
– WK 10617/2025 REV 1

– 12243/25

3. Art. 25a of the Visa Code

– Debrief by the Presidency of discussions in IMEX (Expulsion)
– State of implementation of Visa Code article 25a report – update by the Commission
and the EEAS
– Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision suspending the application of certain
provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council
with respect to Guinea – presentation by the Commission
– 11613/25

4. Visa reciprocity for crew members – update by the Presidency and exchange of views

5. AOB

– Third report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the
state of play of preparations for the full implementation of the VIS regulation in
accordance with Article 11(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1134 – information by the
Commission
– 11143/25
– Granting of Serbian Citizenship to Russian Nationals – update by the Commission
– US démarche on nationals from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Georgia,
Russia and Azerbaijan transiting the Schengen Zone for the purpose of illegal
immigration to the United States – information by the Presidency
– Non-paper by France proposing to uphold and improve Article 25a
– 12988/25

VISA WORKING PARTY

6. Visa facilitation agreement with Armenia – exchange of views on the basis of a Commission background paper

– 12405/25

7. AOB

– Recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations on a
framework agreement between the European Union and the United States of America
on the exchange of information for security screenings and identity verifications relating
to border procedures and applications for visa and its Annex – presentation by the
Commission and debrief by the Presidency of discussions in IXIM
– 11884/25 + ADD 1
– Armenia – Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP) – information by the Presidency
– Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – information by the Commission

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30 June 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 2951/1/25

2. Visa Suspension Mechanism monitoring and report – mid-term discussion: exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency document and orientation for the Commission

– Preparations for 8th report – update by the Commission
– “Citizenship by investment schemes” monitoring – report by the Commission
– Trends in asylum applications from nationals of visa-exempted countries

–Trends – EUAA presentation
– Outreach to third countries – information by the Commission
– 9529/25

3. Response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine – visa policy aspects

– EU Hybrid Toolbox: Presidency Report – presentation by the Chair of HWP ERCHT
[R-UE/EU-R]
– Harmonization of visa practice – state of play
– Russian Human Rights Defenders and visa process
– presentation by the Chair of COHOM
– presentation by a representative of ProtectDefenders.eu
– presentation by EEAS and exchange of views on national practices

4. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Danish Presidency

5. Conclusions of the Polish Presidency

6. AOB

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending
Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism –
information by the Presidency on the state of play
– EU-U.S. JHA Ministerial Meeting (Warsaw, 2-3 June 2025) – debrief by the Presidency
– EU-U.S. tripartite meeting on visa reciprocity (Washington, 10-11 June 2025) – debrief
by the Commission
– Update on visa obligation for holders of diplomatic and service passports of Georgia –
information by the Presidency
– Sanctions – hybrid regime – limiting intra-Schengen mobility of diplomats –
information by the Presidency
– Armenia – draft visa liberalization Action Plan
– EU-US visa reciprocity for air crew members – information by the Commission
– Towards a modern and holistic EU Visa Policy (WK 8741/2025)
– Granting of Serbian Citizenship to Russian Nationals

VISA WORKING PARTY

7. AOB 

– Implementation of the VFA with Armenia – information by the Commission

---

6 May 2025

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Art. 25a of the Visa Code

– Debrief by the Presidency of the discussion in IMEX (Expulsion) on 23 April 2025

– Art. 25a mechanism five years on: assessment of efficiency – exchange of views

– 8330/25

 

3. Digitalization of the visa procedure

1. a) Update by the Commission on secondary legislation
2. b) Report by the Commission on the meeting with ESPs
3. c) Presentation by eu-LISA

– Exchange of views

 

4. AOB

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – information by the Presidency on the state of play

– Visa reciprocity for crew members – update by the Presidency

– Visa waiver for GCC countries: follow-up to the 1st EU-GCC Summit of October 2024 – Debriefing by EEAS of the debate at the meeting of the Middle East/Gulf Working Party (MOG) on 3 April 2025

 

VISA WORKING PARTY

5. AOB

– Armenia visa liberalisation – Debriefing by the Commission of the outcome of the second expert mission (7-10 April 2025)

 

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7 April 2025

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism

1. a) Drafting suggestions regarding the suspension for specific categories of travellers: guidance for trilogues

– 7454/25

1. b) Examination of the EP mandate

– 7749/25

 

3. Visa and asylum

– Presentations by EUAA, eu-LISA and FRONTEX

– Discussion on the basis of a Presidency document

– 7500/25

 

4. AOB

– EU-U.S. JHA Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), Warsaw 31 March & 1 April 2025 – Debriefing by the Presidency

– Visa reciprocity for crew members

– Reintroduction of visa obligation for holders of diplomatic passports of Georgia – Information on national notifications

– Art. 25a exercise – debriefing by the Presidency of the discussion in IMEX (Expulsion)

– Non-recognition by Estonia of non-biometric foreign passports issued by the Russian Federation

– Request of access to documents – information by the Commission

 

VISA WORKING PARTY

5. AOB

– Kazakhstan – Debriefing by the Presidency on the adoption of the mandate and by the Commission on the bilateral contacts at the EU-Central Asia Summit

 

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13 March 2025

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Revised interoperability roadmap

– Update by the Commission, presentation by eu-LISA and exchange of views

 

3. Visa suspension mechanism as regards holders of certain categories of passports – way forward

– Exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency paper

– 6712/25

 

4. AOB

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism: State of play – information by the Presidency

– Art. 25a exercise – debrief by the Presidency of the discussion in IMEX (Expulsion)

– Visa Working Party input for the Horizontal Working Party on Enhancing Resilience and Countering Hybrid Threats (HWP ERCHT) – debrief by the Presidency

– EU-US air crew visa reciprocity

 

VISA WORKING PARTY

5. Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan [R-UE/EU-R]1

– Presidency compromise proposal and exchange of views

– 6681/25 + ADD 1 EU RESTRICTED

 

6. AOB

 

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18 February 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Reintroduction of visa obligation for holders of diplomatic passports of Georgia partial access

a) Guidelines for implementation of Council Decision partial suspension of the application of the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas – presentation by the Commission

b) Mapping exercise on the basis of the document by the Presidency

– 6010/25

 

3. Follow up to the visa suspension mechanism report – visa policy alignment

– WK 5805/2022 REV 4

a) Presentation by the Commission on the progress in reaching the alignment in the countries covered by the report under the visa suspension mechanism [WK 2204/2025 INIT]

b) Presentation by Frontex on the migration trends related to lack of visa policy alignment

 

4. Visa issuance to Russian citizens

– Outcome of the Commission questionnaire on the implementation of the guidelines on general visa issuance in relation to Russian applicants – presentation by the Commission and way forward

 

5. EU Hybrid Toolbox [R-UE/EU-R]

– Presentation by the Chair of the Horizontal Working Party on Enhancing Resilience and Countering Hybrid Threats (HWP ERCHT) and exchange of views on visa-related matters

 

6. EU-US air crew visa reciprocity

– Presentation by the Commission of the background paper and exchange of views

– WK 546/2025

 

7. AOB

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism: State of play – information by the Presidency

– Implementation of visa digitalisation – information by the Commission

 

VISA WORKING PARTY

8. Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan: Recommendation for a Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations on an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan on facilitating the issue of short-stay visas1 [R-UE/EU-R]

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

– 6011/25 + ADD 1 RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED

 

9. Visa liberalisation – Armenia

– Debriefing by the Commission of the outcome of the first experts’ mission of 10-14 February 2025

 

10. AOB

 

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27 January 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Priorities of the Presidency

 

3. 7th report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council under the visa suspension mechanism

– Exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency paper

– 5247/25

Key points:

• An initial assessment of the Commission’s 7th annual report on the visa suspension mechanism (see item 2 in the 9 December 2024 agenda)
• The document is largely descriptive but notes “data for irregular stays might point to an area to discuss with the partners,” i.e. non-EU states
• The document ends with questions to member state delegations on the report’s findings, and how the next annual report could be improved

 

4. Outcome of the examination of the notification by Iceland pursuant to Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806

– Information from the Commission and exchange of views

– 5060/25

Key points:

• Iceland wants the EU to suspend visa-free travel to the Schengen area for Venezuelan citizens
• This is due to a large increase in the number of Venezuelan citizens applying for asylum in Iceland, as well as other Schengen states
• “A significant number of Venezuelan individuals appear to be entering the Schengen Area with the specific intent of applying for asylum”

 

5. Reintroduction of visa obligation for holders of diplomatic passports of Georgia

a) Proposal for a Council Decision on the partial suspension of the application of the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas – information by the Presidency

b) Guidelines for implementation – presentation by the Commission

 

6. AOB

– EU-U.S. tripartite meeting on visa reciprocity (Brussels, 10 December 2024) – debrief by the Commission

– Visa Code Article 25a exercise – debrief by the Presidency on the discussions held in IMEX (Expulsion)

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism: State of play – information by the Presidency

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu – information by the Presidency

– Information with regard to the designation of Romania into the US Visa Waiver Program

 

VISA WORKING PARTY

7. Visa liberalisation – Armenia

– Debriefing by the Commission of the outcome of the Senior Officials mission of 11 December 2024

 

8. AOB

– Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – update by the Commission

 

---

9 December 2024

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. 7th report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council under the visa suspension mechanism

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

Key points:

• The presentation gives an overview of the Commission’s 7th report on the EU’s visa suspension mechanism, which allows the suspension of visa-free requirements for non-EU nationals in certain cases
• It covers countries in the EU “neighbourhood” (such as Albaina, Georgia and Ukraine), the Eastern Caribbean and Latin America
• With regard to Latin America, the presentation notes: “Asylum applications by nationals of visa-free countries often have low recognition rate and thus create a significant burden for the Member States asylum systems,” requiring “dialogue” with countries concerned, for example to ensure “border controls on departure”

– 16326/24 [Commission report]

 

 

3. Improving consular presence for Schengen visa processing

– Presentation by the Presidency and exchange of views

– 16584/24

Key points:

• The paper makes a number of suggestions on how access to Schengen visa applications could be facilitated
• “…enhancing the consular presence for Schengen visa processing in third countries is crucial for maintaining the EU’s global reputation and facilitating people-to-people connections.”
• The document makes no mention of the substance of the EU’s visa policy, i.e. how difficult it is for some people to obtain visas

 

4. Summary of the discussions and the way forward on combating abuse of the Schengen visa appointment system, reducing visa shopping and waiting times for appointments

– Information from the Presidency, including on the flyer on how to book a Schengen visa appointment for Istanbul and Rabat

 

5. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Polish Presidency

[WK 15730/2024 INIT]

1. Revision of visa suspension mechanism
2. JHA community involvement in visa liberalization
3. Curbing abuse of appointment systems
4. Harmonizing visa practice
5. Coordinating work on the mandate for visa facilitation agreement

 

6. AOB

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu – Information by the Presidency

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – Information by the Presidency

– Council conclusions towards a more strategic approach on EU visa policy – Information by the Presidency

 

VISA WORKING PARTY

7. AOB

– Upcoming Joint Committee meetings with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Cabo Verde – information by the Commission

 

---

15 November 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Towards a more strategic approach on EU visa policy: revised draft Council conclusions

– Presentation by the Presidency and exchange of views

– 14241/2/24 REV 2

 

3. The way forward following the discussion on combating abuse of the Schengen visa appointment system, reducing visa shopping and waiting times for appointments – Presentation of the Presidency note and exchange of views

– 15207/24

– WK 13853/2024 REV 1

 

4. AOB

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu – Information by the Presidency

– Visa Code Article 25a mechanism – Debriefing by the Presidency on the state of play on readmission cooperation

– EU – Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs (Budva, Montenegro, 28-29 October 2024) – Debriefing by the Presidency

– Launch of the Visa Code Training (VCT) on 6 November

 

VISA WORKING PARTY

5. AOB

– Visa liberalization dialogue with Armenia – Information by the Commission on the first technical mission

– Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – information by the Commission

 

---

23 October 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Towards a more strategic approach on EU visa policy: draft Council conclusions

– Presentation by the Presidency and exchange of views

– 14241/24

Key points:

• A draft of the Council conclusions outlining a “strategic” approach to EU visa policy to address “migration challenges”” and “safeguard the integrity of the Schengen area,” emphasising using visa restrictions not only to control migration but as leverage to enforce cooperation by non-EU states, particularly around “readmission” of deportees
• Calls for neighbouring countries with visa-free travel privileges to align their visa policies with EU restrictions or risk losing their own visa-free status, and advocates for new “targeted, personalised sanctions” against individual travellers accused of visa “abuse”
• Pushes for the use of data for “”automated risk assessment”” and to “apply restrictive measures” against specific travellers

 

3. Discussion paper on combating abuse of the Schengen visa appointment system, reducing visa shopping and waiting times for appointments

– Presentation of the Presidency note and exchange of views

– 14242/24

Key points:

• Member states frequently fail to meet the Visa Code’s mandated two-week timeframe for granting appointments, leading applicants to “visa shop”  wherever appointments are available — a practice the Presidency includes as “abuse” of the system
• Notes that appointment booking “bots” and cyber threats are increasing, with private visa brokers taking advantage of loopholes in technical systems to book available appointments and resell them “at extraordinary prices”
• Proposed solutions:
  • a web-based “common pre-filtering system” for all Schengen visa applicants to request appointments
  • the introduction of a non-refundable “Schengen visa appointment fee” for applicants
  • extending the mandated timeframe to one month
  • funding EU-wide secure online appointment booking systems
  • discouraging consulates from giving out appointments by other means
  • launching “information campaigns” in third countries to educate visa applicants on the illegality of brokers and “visa shopping”

 

4. Visa reciprocity with the US: visa requirement for air crew members – US reply

– 13732/24

 

5. AOB

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – Information by the Presidency

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu – Information by the Presidency

– Visa digitalisation: state of play of the implementation after first presentation of implementing acts in the Smart Borders Committee – Information by the Commission

– Senior EU and US Justice and Home Affairs officials meeting, Budapest 16-17 October 2024 – debriefing by the Presidency

– Launching of the Visa Code online training (6 November) and designation of contact points – information by the Commission

– Ex-post evaluation of the Internal Security Fund borders & Visa – public consultation – information by the Commission

– Questionnaire to Member States on the application of the guidelines in relation to Russian visa applicants – information by the Commission

– Request for an update on the timetable for the adoption of secondary regulations in connection with the entry into service of the VIS recast

 

VISA WORKING PARTY

6. AOB

– Visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan – information by the Commission

 

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18 September 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3942/1/24 REV 1

 

2. Visa Code Article 25a mechanism

– Proposal for a Council Implementing Decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Somalia

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

– 12536/1/24 REV 1

• Key points:
  • Proposal that would introduce restrictions and limitations on the issuance of Schengen visas to Somali nationals
  • The proposal is a response to Somalia’s “insufficient” cooperation with EU deportations
  • The proposal makes clear that there are already severe limitations on Somali nationals applying for or obtaining Schengen visas – for example, “six Member States do not recognise any travel document issued by Somalia, and a further seven only recognise diplomatic or service passports”

 

3. The future of visa policy: preparation of Council conclusions on “Towards a more strategic approach on EU visa policy”

– Presentation of the Presidency Note and exchange of views

– 12930/24

• Key points:
  • Hungarian Presidency is seeking to develop a set of Council conclusions on EU visa policy
  • The document runs through various aspects of visa policy and potential changes, including: revision of the visa suspension mechanism, possible application of European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS) “restrictive measures” in cases where there is “abuse” of the visa-free regime, the revamped Visa Information System and statistics on visas and asylum, and “visa sanctions” to encourage cooperation with deportations
  • The document also details ways in which negotiations on visa agreements with third countries could be used to obtain cooperation on security and migration issues

 

4. Visa and asylum – debriefing by the Presidency of the discussions in the Asylum WP of 4 September 2024

 

5. AOB

– Debriefing by the Presidency of the EU-US JHA Ministerial Meeting (Brussels, 20-21 June 2024) and information on the preparation of the EU-US JHA Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) (Budapest, 16-17 October 2024)

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – Information by the Presidency

– Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava) – Information by the Presidency

– Questionnaire to Member States on the Implementation of 1) the Guidelines on general visa issuance in relation to Russian applicants following Council Decision (EU) 2022/1500 of 9 September 2022 on the suspension in whole of the application of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation and 2) the Guidelines on controls of Russian citizens at the external borders, 30.09.2022 C(2022) 7111 final – Information by the Commission

– Visa Code online training – Information by the Commission

– Security checks on SIS data and during prior consultations: audit of the list of persons registered in the SIS who are subject to a travel ban under international and European sanctions

 

21 June 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3205/1/24 REV 1

 

2. Kick-off discussion on VIS statistics and asylum

– 11228/24

• Key points:
  • Paper gives an introductory overview for a discussion on “abuse of visas by nationals from visa-required countries”
  • A lack of statistics means it is “currently impossible to asses the scale of this phenomenon”
  • Discussion is meant to provide a first step on ways to address this
  • See also the presentations below

– WK 9149/2024 INIT (presentations)

• Key points:
  • Contains presentations from Belgium, Sweden and the European Commission on the relationship between visas and asylum
  • Belgian presentation: Understanding the relation between visa and asylum using VIS [Visa Information System] hits
  • Swedish presentation: Use of the VIS in the asylum process
  • European Commission presentation: VIS statistics and asylum

 

3. United States

1. a) Debriefing of the tripartite meeting on visa reciprocity with the US – 30&31 May 2024 (Washington D.C.)
2. b) JHA Ministerial meeting EU-US on 20-21 June: information by the Presidency
3. c) EBSP – summary of the discussions during the Belgian Presidency

 

4. Assessment of the Belgian Presidency

WK 9052/24

• Key points:
  • Presentation giving an overview of work undertaken under the Belgian Presidency, covering legislative changes, strategic discussions, and “other”

 

5. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Hungarian Presidency

WK 9053/24

• Key points:
  • A presentation setting out the Hungarian Presidency’s priorities for justice and home affairs, one of which is “Enhancing common effort in the external dimension of migration”
  • Also includes priorities for the Visa Working Party

 

5. AOB

– Digitalisation – way forward: information by the Commission

– Annual LSC report: information by the Commission

– Pilot project on waiting time – feedback from the meeting of 13 June 2024 with interested Member States: information by the Commission

– Non recognition of non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation

– Change in the visa process: visa fees and upcoming changes in the Visa Code on 28 June 2024 – information from the Commission

 

VISA WORKING PARTY

6. AOB

– VFA and RA with Kazakhstan – state of play by the Commission

 

21 May 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 2873/1/24 REV 1

 

2. Towards a second-generation of Visa Facilitation Agreement: overview and way forward

– Exchange of views based on a Presidency paper

– 9887/24

• Key points:
  • Only five of 13 existing Visa Facilitation Agreements are fully applicable
  • The Presidency proposes moving towards a new “generation” of VFAs
  • Includes proposals for new restrictions, for example to make it possible to suspend a VFA for reasons of national security, or to condition VFAs on third country alignment with EU foreign policy

 

3. Evaluation of the Visa Code

– Exchange of views

– 6253/24 + ADD 1 + ADD 2 REV 1 (already public)

 

4. Annual report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism: mid-term assessment and input for the next report

– Exchange of views based on a Presidency paper

– 9888/24

• Key points:
  • Covers changes to the method for monitoring countries subject to the visa requirement to better inform the annual report on the visa suspension mechanism

 

5. AOB

– Future of visa policy – feedback from SCIFA and preparation of the JHA Council on 13-14 June: information by the Presidency

– Article 25a mechanism: information by the Presidency

– Temporary scheme of short-stay tourist visits from certain Turkish coastal areas to selected Greek islands in the eastern Aegean: presentation by Greece

– Vanuatu: information by the Commission

– US visa requirement for aircrew members: information by the Presidency

– Delegated act on the visa fees – date of entry into force of the revised fees: information by the Commission

 

6. AOB

– Visa Liberalisation Dialogue with Armenia – feedback from COEST: information by the Presidency

– Negotiation of a visa facilitation agreement with Kazakhstan: information by the Commission

 

24 April 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. The future of visa policy: internal dimension

– Exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency paper

– 8833/24

 

3. Evaluation of the Visa Code

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views [WK 5925/2024 INIT]

– 6253/24 + ADD 1 + ADD 2 REV 2

 

4. AOB

– Votes on visa files in the European Parliament – information by the Presidency

– Article 25a mechanism: information by the Presidency

– Investor citizenship schemes of Vanuatu and Eastern Caribbean: update and next steps – information by the Commission

– Next Report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism: update – information by the Commission

– Implementation of visa digitalisation – information by the Commission

– Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation and EU information systems

– US request for the suspension of the Airport Transit Visa exemption for citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

– EMPACT – Handbook on visa fraud – information from Germany [WK 5835/2024 REV 1 DCL 1 and WK 8343/2024 INIT]

 

5. Prospect of a Visa Facilitation Agreement with Kazakhstan

– Information by the Commission and exchange of views

 

6. AOB

– Visa liberalisation dialogue with Armenia: feedback by the Presidency from SCIFA meeting on 10 April 2024 and information from Czechia, France, Sweden and Germany

 

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26 March 2024

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 2144/1/24 REV 1]

2. The future of visa policy: scene-setter on visa and asylum

– Presentation by EUAA
– Exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency paper
– 7832/24

3. Measures under Article 25a of the Visa Code

a) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Ethiopia

– 13582/23

b) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2459 on the application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia

– 16980/23 [COR 1]
– Exchange of views and approval

4. US visa requirement for flight crew members

– Exchange of views

5. AOB

– EU-US JHA Senior Officials Meeting (Brussels, 11-12 March 2024): information from the Presidency
– Visa facilitations with Kazakhstan: information from the Presidency
– Vanuatu – visa exemption suspension: information from the Commission
– Visa Code: delegated act on the visa fees and report on the delegation of power to the Commission [7811/24, 7812/24]
– Implementation of visa digitalisation: information from the Commission
– Information from the Swedish Delegation on registration and access to the upcoming Visa Code Training

VISA WORKING PARTY

6. AOB

– Joint Declaration establishing a partnership on migration between the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and the European Union: information from the Presidency

 

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19 February 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 1594/1/24 REV 1]

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism

– Examination of the revised Presidency compromise proposal, including an exchange of views on the urgency procedure
– 16126/2/23 REV 2 [Previous versions: 16126/1/23 REV 1, 16126/23]
– 5858/24 [Revision of the visa suspension mechanism – Urgency procedures – Diagram]

3. United States:

a) EU-US Irregular Migration Cooperation kick-off meeting, 25 January 2024

– Information by the Presidency

b) Discussion in IXIM Working Party on EBSP with participation of US representatives, 16 February 2024

– Information by the Presidency

c) EU-U.S. JHA Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), 11-12 March 2024

– Information by the Presidency

4. Pilot project for the reduction of waiting times to apply for Schengen visas in various consular locations

– Presentation by the Commission
– 6672/24
– Presentation by the Netherlands: experience with Morocco [WK 2722/2024 INIT]

5. AOB

– Visa implications of the lifting of checks on persons at internal air and sea borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania – Presentation by the Commission [WK 2560/2024 INIT]
– Proposals Article 25a Visa Code: debriefing by the Presidency on the discussions held in IMEX (Expulsion) on 16 January and 8 February
– Launch of a migration partnership and dialogue with Mauritania: visa-related aspects – Information by the Presidency
– Publication of a seconded national expert post in DG HOME, Visa policy unit – information from the Commission
– US visa requirement for flight crew members

 

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15 January 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 1080/1/24 REV 1]

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism

– Exchange of views on the basis of a Presidency paper
– 5113/24

3. Kosovo visa liberalisation:

– Presentation by the Commission of the measures carried out with a view to the entry into operation of the visa exemption and exchange of views;
– Information by the Presidency on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava)
– 15074/23

4. Visa Code Article 25a exercise:

– Presentation by the Presidency of a new approach and exchange of views
– 5114/24

5. AOB

– US Enhanced Border Security Partnership
– eVisa Regulations: secondary legislation

 

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19 December 2023

(return to top)

Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 5752/2/23 REV 1]

2. Visa Code Article 25a exercise:

a) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2459 on the application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia

– Exchange of views
– 13574/23

b) Proposals for a Council implementing decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Ethiopia, Senegal and Iraq

‒ Update from the Commission and EEAS and continuation of exchange of views
– 13582/23 [Ethiopia]
– 14563/22 [Senegal]
– 11671/21 [Iraq]

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism

– Examination of the revised Presidency compromise text
– 16126/1/23 REV 1
– 16909/23 [Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – Discussion paper on the thresholds]

4. Waiting time for appointments – actions that could be envisaged in 2024 in coordination with Member States

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

5. Implementation by France of measures for members of the Olympic family, according to Annex XI of the Visa Code, in the context of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

– Information by the French delegation
– WK 17064/2023

6. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Belgian Presidency

– WK 17100/24 [Presentation highlighting five key priorities on migration and asylum, redacted]

7. AOB

– Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava) – information by the Presidency
– Debriefing by the Presidency on the EU-U.S. JHA Ministerial meeting (Washington, 13-14 November 2023)
– Debriefing by the Commission on the tripartite meeting with the US (Brussels, 12 December 2023)
– Information on the procedure for the revision of the visa fees – meeting of the Ad-hoc expert group on 20 December 2023
– Scheval training for lead experts – information from the Commission
– US request for the suspension of the Airport Transit Visa exemption for citizens of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

VISA WORKING PARTY

8. Debriefing by the Commission of the 7th EU-Azerbaijan Joint Visa Facilitation Committee, 23 November 2023

9. AOB

 

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16 November 2023

(return to top)

Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 5114/1/23 REV 1]

2. Visa Code Article 25a exercice:

a) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2459 on the application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia

– 13574/23

b) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Ethiopia

– 13582/23
– Continuation of exchange of views

c) Proposals for a Council implementing decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Senegal and Iraq

‒ Update from the Commission and EEAS and continuation of exchange of views
– 14563/22 [Senegal]
– 11671/21 [Iraq]

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism

– Examination
– 14008/23

4. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava)

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
– 15074/23

5. AOB

– Belarus – ban on the issuance and extension of Belarusian travel documents abroad
– Requests for translation of the Visa Code Training
– Possible use of revised VIS for the implementation of the Long-Term Residents Directive
– Changes in US legislation concerning delivery of visas to artists
– EU and Kazakhstan dialogue on visa facilitations

 

---

23 October 2023

(return to top)

Format: 1+2 (Presidency 2+2)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 4682/2/23 REV 2]

2. Visa Code Article 25a exercice:

a) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2459 on the application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia

– 13574/23

b) Proposal for a Council implementing Decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Ethiopia

– 13582/23
– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

c) Proposals for a Council implementing decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Senegal and Iraq

‒ Update from the Commission and EEAS and exchange of views on readmission cooperation
– 14563/22 [Senegal]
– 11671/21 [Iraq]

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism

– Presentation by the Commission and first exchange of views
– 14008/23 (to be issued)

4. 6th Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council under the visa suspension mechanism

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views
– 14009/23 (to be issued)

5. AOB

– Debrief of the EU-U.S. JHA Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) (Madrid, 5-6 October 2023) and preparation of the EU-U.S. JHA Ministerial meeting (Washington, 13-14 November 2023)
– Information from the Swedish Delegation on the Pilot Launch for the Visa Code Training Project
– Current Omani system for issuing service passports – possible impact for a bilateral visa waiver agreement

VISA WORKING PARTY

6. 7th meeting of the EU-ARMENIA Joint Visa Facilitation Committee (19 October 2023)

– Information by the Commission

7. AOB

 

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21 September 2023

(return to top)

Format: 2+2 (Presidency 2+2)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 4090/2/23 REV 2]

2. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Presidency on the latest discussions in the Council on the Commission’s assessment of third countries’ level of cooperation on readmission in 2022 [the Commission’s report is available here]
– Update and state of play by the Commission on the cooperation on readmission with Senegal and Iraq

3. AOB

– Visa reciprocity with the US
– Information by the Commission on the ECJ ruling of 5 September 2023 in case C-137/21 European Parliament v European Commission
– Debriefing by the Presidency of the EU-US JHA Ministerial Meeting (Stockholm, 21 June 2023) and information on the preparation of the EU-U.S. JHA Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) (Madrid, 5-6 October)
– Adoption of a Commission proposal amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism – Information by the Commission on the timeline
– Adoption of the 6th visa suspension mechanism report – Information by the Commission on the timeline
– Evaluation of the Visa Code: State of play – Information by the Commission
– Compendium of the Visa Working Party Presidencies – Information by the Swedish delegation
– Adoption of the Regulation on the digitalisation of the visa procedure and application of the amended VIS
– Planning of the adoption of the delegated acts for the implementation of the Regulation on the digitalisation of the visa procedure
– Belarus – ban on the issuance and extension of Belarusian travel documents abroad
– Media coverage of irregularities in the issuance of visas by Poland

VISA WORKING PARTY

4. Suspension of the application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Vanuatu on the short-stay visa waiver: state of play of the ongoing dialogue with Vanuatu

‒ Information by the Commission

5. AOB

– 7th meeting of the EU-ARMENIA Joint Visa Facilitation Committee – information by the Commission
– 7th meeting of the EU-AZERBAIJAN Joint Visa Facilitation Committee – information by the Commission

Meetings

• 23 April 2026
• 27 March 2026
• 5 February 2026
• 2 December 2025
• 5 November 2025
• 7 October 2025
• 1 September 2025
• 1 July 2025
• 5 June 202
• 15 May 2025
• 16 April 2025
• 19 March 2025
• 4 February 2025
• 22 November 2024
• 22 October 2024
• 12 September 2024
• 12 July 2024
• 6 June 2024
• 2 May 2024
• 20 March 2024
• 9 January 2024
• 23 November 2023
• 12 September 2023

---

23 April 2026

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 1916/1/26

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24)

– Information by the Presidency on the state of play

3. Document security in the EU Visa Strategy

– Presentation by the Commission

– Exchange of view based on discussion paper (8168/26)

4. Fighting document fraud

– Presentation by Frontex of FIELDS (Frontex-INTERPOL Electronic Library Document System)

– Presentation by Frontex on training activities in the field of false document recognition

– Presentation by Cyprus on the deployment of Standing Corps Officers at CY airports

5. Implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum

– State of play by the Commission

– Presentation by Frontex on support for screening

6. Entry Exit System

– State of play of the progressive start of operations

– information by the Commission and eu-LISA

– EES exemptions: holders of diplomatic, official or service passports and NATO personnel – update

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

7. Agreements between the EU and San Marino/Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management (WK 1102/26 & WK 1104/26)

– Update by the Commission

8. AOB

---

27 March 2026

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 1915/1/26

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24)

– Information by the Presidency on the state of play

3. Entry Exit System

– State of play of the progressive start of operations – information by the
Commission and eu-LISA
– EES exemptions: holders of diplomatic, official or service passports and NATO
personnel – update by the Commission
– Truck drivers and EES – exchange of views based on Presidency paper (7335/26)

4. Implementation of the “Travel to Europe” application

– Presentation by Frontex
– Presentation by Sweden

5. Action Plan on Drone and Counter-Drone Security

– Presentation by the Commission
– Presentation by Frontex

6. FADO takeover: state of play

– Information by the General Secretariat of the Council

7. Biennial report on the functioning of EUROSUR

– Presentation by Frontex
– Exchange of views

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

8. Agreements between the EU and San Marino/Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management

– Update by the Commission

9. AOB

---

5 February 2026

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 1163/26 (pdf)

2. Video from the Presidency

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an
application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and
amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of
the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel
credentials (14392/24)

– Information by the Presidency on the state of play

4. Implementation of the “Travel to Europe” application

– Presentation by Frontex
– Presentation by Sweden

5. Pact for the Mediterranean: initiatives and actions in the area of border security

– Presentation by the Commission: the Pact for the Mediterranean
– Presentation by Cyprus: cooperation on Search and Rescue with neighbouring third
countries
– Exchange of views based on Presidency discussion paper (5533/26) (to be issued)

6. Entry Exit System

– State of play of the progressive start of operations – information by the
Commission and eu-LISA
– EES exemptions: holders of diplomatic, official or service passports and NATO
personnel – update

7. Vulnerability Assessment 2025

– (5224/26 EU-RESTRICTED) (to be issued)
– Presentation by Frontex
– Exchange of views

8. AOB from Croatia

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

9. Agreements between the EU and San Marino/Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management (WK 1102/26 & WK 1104/26)

– Update by the Commission

10. AOB

---

2 December 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 5119/25 (pdf)

2. Entry Exit System

– State of play of the progressive start of operations – presentation by the Commission
– EES exemptions: diplomats and military staff, dependants and civilian personnel under
bilateral or multilateral (NATO) defence agreements – information by the Commission

3. Future of Frontex: the standing corps

– Presentation by Frontex
– Discussion based on Presidency paper (15798/25) (to be issued)

4. Border Policing Innovation Programme at the Ludovika University of Public Service

– Presentation by HU

5. State of play of FADO takeover

– Information by Frontex and GSC

6. Future of Frontex: governance and oversight

– Presentation by Frontex3
– Discussion based on Presidency paper (15799/25) (to be issued)

7. AOB

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

8. State of play on Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Update by the Commission

---

5 November 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 4753/1/25

2. Entry Exit System

– State of play of the progressive start of operations – presentation by the Commission
– EES exemptions: diplomats and military staff, dependants and civilian personnel under
bilateral or multilateral (NATO) defence agreements – information by the Commission

3. Future of Frontex: engagements with third countries

– Presentation by Frontex
– Discussion based on Presidency paper (14393/25)

4. Border Policing Innovation Programme at the Ludovika University of Public Service

– Presentation by HU

5. Future of Frontex: hybrid threats

– Presentation by Frontex
– Discussion based on Presidency paper (14395/25)

6. AOB

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

7. State of play on Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Update by the Commission
– European Union Support to Ukraine’s Border Management Authorities – discussion
based on Commission services paper (14396/25)

8. AOB

---

7 October 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 4215/1/25

2. Entry Exit System exemptions – permits issued to military staff, dependants and civilian personnel under bilateral or multilateral (NATO) defence agreements

– Information by the Commission

3. Entry into operation of the Entry Exit System

– Information by the Commission on the state of play
– Discussion based on Presidency paper 13307/25

4. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24)

– Examination of the full text
– WK 12500/25

5. Digital border solutions regulated by the EU: current status, timelines and interdependencies

– Presentation by eu-LISA

6. AOB

– Non-acceptance of Russian travel documents 13458/25

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

7. Agreements between the EU and San Marino/Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management

– Update by the Commission

8. State of play of the negotiations on Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Update by the Commission

9. AOB

 

---

1 September 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3608/2/25

2. State of play of the Entry Exist System and the impact of its entry into operation on the rules of self-service systems and e-gates

– Presentation by the Commission

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24)

– thematic examination of articles 1-20 & recitals 16, 17a, and 26
– WK 10584/2025

4. AOB

– presentation by the Commission on the updated rules on border control of cruise ships
under the Schengen Borders Code
– WK 10652/2025

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

5. Agreements between the EU and San Marino/Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management

– update by the Commission

6. AOB

---

1 July 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3148/25

2. Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of
the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24)

– presentation by the Commission
– thematic examination of articles 1-20 (WK 8621/25)

3. Frontex Annual Risk Analysis 2025-2026

– Presentation by Frontex

4. AOB

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

5. State of play of the negotiations on Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– update by the Commission

6. Agreements between the EU and San Marino/Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management

– update by the Commission

7. AOB

---

5 June 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 2840/25

2. Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24)

– examination of recitals 11-33
– examination of compromise proposals for articles 1-6c and 11

3. State of play of Frontex operational activities at the EU external borders

– Presentation by Frontex

4. State of play of FADO takeover

– presentations by Frontex and GSC

5. Priorities of the upcoming Presidency

– presentation by DK delegation

6. AOB

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

7. State of play of the negotiations on Frontex status agreements and working arrangements– update by the Commission

8. AOB

---

15 May 2025

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 2545/25

2. Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of
the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24)

– information and presentation by the Commission
– examination of Art. 8-20 (excl. 12-13), recitals 1-10

3. EES and ETIAS entry into operation – update and state of play

– information by the Commission
– presentation by eu-LISA
– presentation by Frontex – 13th report on the state of preparation of ETIAS

4. AOB

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

5. Agreements between the EU and San Marino/Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management – update by the Commission

6. AOB

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16 April 2025

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Interim review of progress in the implementation of the EBCG Regulation – and monitoring of Action plan to support the implementation of the EBCG Regulation

– presentation by the Commission

– presentation by Frontex

– exchange of views (discussion paper 7639/25 to be issued)

 

3. Travel to Europe App developed by Frontex

– presentation by Frontex

 

4. Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24)

‒ information by the Presidency on EDPS opinion

‒ information by the Commission in view of written comments received

‒ examination of article 7

 

5. AOB

 

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

6. Operational aspects of Frontex status agreements and working arrangements – current and future status – information by Frontex and Commission

 

7. AOB

 

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19 March 2025

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24)

– examination article by article (starting from Art. 1-6, 12-13)

 

3. Best practices in the EU´s external sea border protection and possibly national policies and innovations in the area of combating new threats at the borders

– presentation by Spain

– presentation by Greece

– presentation by Frontex

– exchange of views (discussion paper 6478/25)

 

4. The implementation of the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR):

– key results of the Schengen evaluation – presentation by the Commission (WK 3330/25)

– report to the Council of the EU: EUROSUR state of implementation and outlook – presentation by Frontex (7179/25)

– exchange of views

 

5. The practical handbook for the implementation and management of EUROSUR – new “EUROSUR Handbook”

– presentation by the Commission

 

6. AOB

 

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

 

7. State of play of the negotiations on – update by the Commission

– Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Agreements between the EU and San Marino/Andorra on several aspects in the field of border management

 

8. AOB

 

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4 February 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Presentation of Polish Presidency priorities

 

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application”) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials (14392/24 + ADD 1 to ADD 5)

– Presentation by the Netherlands, Croatia and Finland of pilot projects

– Presentation by the Commission – information on questions raised by Member States during the Frontiers WP meeting on 22 November 2024

– Exchange of views

 

4. Best practices in the EU’s external land border protection and possibly national policies and innovations in the area of combating new threats at the borders, such as instrumentalisation of migration

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by Finland

– Presentation by Frontex

– Exchange of views (5012/25)

Key points

• The Presidency argues that the “instrumentalisation of migration” is now “a complex challenge in the field of security”
• Responding requires “legal and operational measures, technology, international cooperation, analytical capabilities and flexible crisis management,” says the Presidency
• The paper ends with the question: “What innovative solutions are or could be implemented at land borders to increase the effectiveness of their protection and security, in the context of the inflow of illegal migration, in particular in cases of instrumentalisation of migration?”

 

5. Frontex Vulnerability Assessment – Biannual Report 2/2024 (17031/24 RESTREINT UE/RESTRICTED EU)

– Presentation by Frontex

 

6. AOB

 

---

22 November 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data (“EU Digital Travel application’) and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, as regards the use of digital travel credentials

(14392/24+ADD 1+ADD 2+ADD 3+ADD 4+ADD 5)

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

 

3. Compendium on the state-of-the-art solutions and novelties in the field of integrated border management

– Information by the Presidency

 

4. External border management activities in the first half of 2024

– Presentation by Frontex

 

5. Priorities of the incoming Polish Presidency

– Presentation by the Polish delegation

 

6. AOB

Working Party on Frontiers

 

7. Proposal for a Council Regulation on the issuance of and technical standards for digital travel credentials based on identity cards

(14389/24+ADD 1+ADD 2)

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views

 

8. Proposal for a Council Regulation on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement (14052/24 REV 2 to be issued) – Information by the Presidency

 

9. Agreements with Andorra and San Marino on several aspects of border management

– Information by the Commission on the state of play of the negotiations

 

10. AOB

 

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22 October 2024

(return to top)

Format 2 + 2

Mixed Committee

1. Adoption of the agenda

Session on innovation and state-of-the-art solutions in the field of integrated border management

 

2. Research and development in the field of border management, including opportunities for Member States’ end users

– Presentation by the Commission

 

3. State-of-the art solutions and novelties in the field of integrated border management

– Presentation by the Hungarian delegation (Project “HSQA”)

– Exchange of views (14213/24)

– Information by the Presidency on next steps

 

4. Research and innovation at Frontex, including the 2023 report on results of research and innovation activities and the functioning of the Frontex Research and Innovation Unit

– Presentation by Frontex

 

5. Research and innovation at eu-LISA

– Presentation by eu-LISA

 

Other issues

6. AOB

– Security R&D and Innovation event 2024 (Brussels, 11 0ctober 2024): Information by the Presidency

– Application of the EES/ETIAS to NATO personnel: Information by the Commission

– The visa-exempting effect of residence cards held by third-country family members of EU citizens: Information by the Commission

– Commission proposals on a “EU Digital Travel application”: Information by the Presidency on the way ahead

– Proposal for an amendment to the “Handbook for border guards (Schengen Handbook)” C (2022) 7591 Final of 28 October 2022; page 133 to page 138: Request from the German delegation

 

Working Party on Frontiers

7. Proposal for a Council Regulation on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement (14052/24)

– Information by the Presidency

 

8. Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Information by the Commission on the state of play of the negotiations

 

9. Agreements with Andorra and San Marino on several aspects of border management

– Information by the Commission on the state of play of the negotiations

10. AOB

 

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12 September 2024

(return to top)

Format 2 + 2

Mixed Committee

1. Follow-up of the exchange of views on state-of-the art solutions and novelties in the field of integrated border management

– Information from the Presidency on the next steps

 

2. Takeover of FADO by Frontex

– Presentation by Frontex

 

3. Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Information by the Commission

 

4. AOB

– Proposal for an amendment to the “Handbook for border guards (Schengen Handbook)” C (2022) 7591 Final of 28 October 2022; page 133 to page 138 – request from the DE delegation

 

Working Party on Frontiers

5. Proposal for a Council Regulation on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement (11336/24)

– Presentation by the Commission [WK 11305/2024 INIT]

– Reactions by the Member States

 

6. Agreements with Andorra and San Marino on several aspects of border management

– Information by the Commission

 

7. AOB

 

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12 July 2024

(return to top)

Format 2 + 2

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3367/2/24 REV 2

 

2. Work programme of the Hungarian Presidency

– Presentation by the Presidency

[WK 10075/2024 INIT]

 

3. State-of-the art solutions and novelties in the field of integrated border management

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Exchange of views (11335/24)

 

4. Vulnerability assessment 01/24 Biannual Report (11337/24 EU-RESTRICTED)

– Presentation by Frontex

– Exchange of views (11338/24)

 

5. Annual Risk Analysis 2024-2025 (WK 9683/2024)

– Presentation by Frontex

 

6. EU partnerships with third countries (Mauritania, Tunisia, Egypt) – border management aspects

– Presentation by the Commission

 

7. AOB

– Agreements with Andorra and San Marino on several aspects of border management: Information by the Commission

 

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6 June 2024

(return to top)

Agenda: CM 2926/1/24 REV 1

 

1. Fundamental rights

– The Frontex Fundamental Rights Officer: Mandate and current activities

– Presentation by the Frontex Fundamental Rights Officer

– Implementation of the monitoring mechanism established by the Screening Regulation: Guidance by the Fundamental Rights Agency

– Presentation by the Fundamental Rights Agency [WK 8141/2024 INIT]

– Exchange of views (10352/24)

 

2. Entry/exit System

– State of play by the Commission and eu-LISA

– Information campaign in the Member States: exchange of views (10353/24)

 

3. Travel documents

– European Document Fraud Annual Risk Analysis 2024

– Update on training activities in the field of false document recognition and look-alike fraud [WK 8346/2024 INIT]

– Presentation by Frontex [WK 8345/2024 INIT, censored]

 

4. Priorities of the incoming Hungarian Presidency – Presentation by the Hungarian delegation

[WK 8140/2024 INIT, all useful substance censored]

 

5. AOB

– SIS recast and alerts on return: Feedback from the Commission on the questions raised in 9354/24 by the Slovak delegation [9354/24, ‘SIS recast and alerts on return’]

 

6. Border management activities and the Artificial Intelligence Act – Presentation by the Commission

[WK 8348/2024 INIT, detailed presentation on content of the AI Act in relation to border control as well as information on EU research projects concerned with AI and migration, borders]

 

7. AOB

 

---

2 May 2024

(return to top)

 

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 2492/2024 INIT]

 

2. Travel documents

– Judgment of the Court of Justice of the EU in case 61/22

– Pilot projects on digitalisation [WK 6366/2024 INIT, ‘Finnish DTC Pilot’; WK 6367/2024 INIT, ‘DTC Pilot in Croatia’]

– (poss.) Proposal for a Regulation on the digitalisation of travel documents and facilitation of travel, establishing an application for the electronic submission of travel data and amending Regulations (EU) 2016/399 and (EU) 2018/1726 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 (to be issued)

– Presentation by the Commission and exchange of views [WK 6368/2024 INIT, ‘Digitalisation of travel documents and facilitation of travel: upcoming proposal’]

 

3. Agreements with Andorra and San Marino on several aspects in the field of border management

– Presidency compromise suggestions

– 9183/24 (to be issued) [censored]

Compromise suggestions on negotiating directives for border management cooperation with Andorra, largely redacted

– 9184/24 (to be issued) [censored]

[“For the Council to reach a final agreement, its Member States held consultations and exploratory talks. To reveal the content of such talks would interfere with the negotiations and would jeopardise the conclusion of an agreement.

Full disclosure of the texts at a moment when the appropriate balance of the various interests involved has not yet been achieved would reduce the flexibility for delegations to formulate and reconsider their positions in the light of the arguments exchange in the debate. This would seriously affect the chances of finding a convergence in delegations’ positions.

Full disclosure of both documents at this stage would therefore seriously undermine the decision-making process of the Council. As a consequence, the General Secretariat has to refuse full access to both documents.”]

 

4.    State of play of the negotiations on Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Update by the Commission

 

5.    AOB

 

6.    False and Authentic Documents Online (FADO):

– State of play of the transfer of the FADO system from the GSC to Frontex

– Declassification of Data

– Concept of Mutual Benefit Cooperation Approach in the Context of FIELDS Outreach Policy Implementation

– Presentation by Frontex [WK 6369/2024 INIT, ‘FADO System Takeover’]

– Exchange of views

 

7.    Capability Roadmap

– Presentation by Frontex [WK 6371/2024 INIT, ‘Futureproofing the External Borders and Accelerating Innovation’]

 

8.    State of Schengen report 2024

– 9012/24 + ADD 1, ADD 2, ADD 3

– Presentation by the Commission focusing on border-related aspects [WK 6372/2024 INIT, ‘2024 STATE OF SCHENGEN PACKAGE’]

– Reactions by delegations

 

9.    EMPACT – Handbook on Visa fraud – WK 5835/24

– Presentation by the German delegation

 

10. AOB

– Amendment to the Schengen Borders Code: Information by the Presidency

– Conference on identity management (Brussels, 15 April 2024): Information by the Presidency

– Incorrect use of entry and exit stamps – request for public access to Council documents: Information by the GSC

 

---

20 March 2024

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 1932/2/24 REV 2]

 

2. Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the evaluation of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 on the European Border and Coast Guard, including a review of the Standing Corps

– Presentation by the Commission

– 5490/24 + ADD 1 + ADD 2

– Exchange of views

– 7372/24 [Discussion paper produced by the Belgian Presidency: “The Working Party on Frontiers, which meets on 20 March 2024, will focus on situational awareness, the Standing Corps, and capability development.”]

[The evaluation has also been discussed by the External Aspects of Migration Working Party and the Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum, with separate discussion papers circulated and published on the respective pages as part of this archive.]

 

3. External border management activities in the second half of 2023

– Presentation by Frontex

 

4. Implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

– State of play by the Commission and eu-LISA

 

5. Agreements with Andorra and San Marino on several aspects in the field of border management

– Presentation by the Commission

– 7523/24 + ADD 1

– 7524/24 + ADD 1

 

6. Follow up to the Council Decision on the full application of the Schengen acquis in the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania, including the follow up to the implementation of the declarations to the Council Decision

– Presentation by the Commission

– WK 2560/2024 REV 1

– Reactions by delegations

 

7. AOB

– Amendment to the Schengen Borders Code: Information by the Presidency

– Conference on identity management: Presentation by the Presidency

– Border checks at airports on crew members

– Note from the Croatian delegation 7775/24

– Visa and border procedures for members of the Olympic family in the context of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris: Presentation by the French delegation

 

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

8. Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

a) State of play of ongoing negotiations

– Update by the Commission

b) Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Serbia

– 7897/24 + ADD 1 + ADD 2

Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Serbia

– 7900/24 + ADD 1

– Presentation by the Commission and discussion

 

9. AOB

 

---

9 January 2024

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 5577/2/23 REV 2]

 

2. Frontex Vulnerability Assessment – Biannual Report 2/2023

16433/23 RESTREINT [Frontex Vulnerability Assessment – Biannual Report 2/2023, request for access denied by the Council: “redaction would be disproportionate in relation to the parts that are eligible for disclosure, simultaneously undermining the principle of sound administration.” Further reasons invoked for non-disclosure by the Council were that the document contains “sensitive operational information/data”; “modus operandi (cooperation with Member States)”; “Relations with Third Countries”; “Ongoing international negotiations”; “Vulnerability Assessment”; “Number and profile of Human Resources”; “Number and type of technical equipment”; “Operational Area”; and “Personal data”.]

– Presentation by Frontex

 

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2016/399 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders

16614/23

– Introduction by the Presidency on the state of play of the negotiations, including the timeline for their finalisation

– Exchange of views

 

4. European Integrated Border Management: Preparation of national strategies

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Exchange of views

16635/23 [Belgian Presidency document, ‘European Integrated Border Management: Preparation of national strategies’: “Member States should clearly outline the current and future allocation of both human and financial resources, develop a system to monitor progress, and ensure effective implementation of the strategy. In addition, a centralised governance structure should regularly review and update the strategy in order to reflect changes and adaptations to evolving circumstances and to improve its effectiveness. An integrated planning process for border management and return should also be developed, including operational planning, contingency planning and capability development planning processes.”]

 

5. AOB

 

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

6. State of play of the negotiations on Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Update by the Commission

 

7. AOB

 

---

23 November 2023

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 4639/1/23 REV 1]

 

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2016/399 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders.

– Debriefing by the Presidency on the kick-off trilogue and technical meetings

– Exchange of views on the main issues in the negotiations

– 14288/23+15803/23

 

3. Situation on the reintroduction of internal border controls and their prolongation

– Presentation by the Commission of the report on the consultations carried out

– Information on the Judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in case C-143/22 – Presentation by the Council Legal Service

= Exchange of views

 

4. State of play of the implementation of the EES/ETIAS

– Presentation by eu-LISA [WK 15748/2023]

 

5. European Integrated Border Management: Technical and Operational Strategy

– Presentation by Frontex [WK 15743/2023. One of the goals listed in the presentation is “Achieve Effective Cooperation with Third Countries,” for which the success measure is “Increased Information Exchange and Joint Operational Intelligence-Led Risk-Based Activities Carried out with Third Countries,” but there is no further detail. Under the heading “Next Steps” is “Promoting European Integrated Border Management Standards to Third Countries,” but again there is no further detail.]

 

6. Frontex-Interpol Electronic Library Documents System

– Presentation by Frontex and Interpol [WK 15744/2023. Presentation on the FIELDS system managed by Frontex and Interpol, which gives border guards access to examples/specimens of identity documents for comparison with real ones, with the aim of detecting forgeries.]

 

7. Report on the functioning of Eurosur

– Presentation by Frontex [WK 15746/2023. A heavily-censored presentation on a report provided by Frontex to the European Parliament and the Council every two years, this edition covering December 2021-November 2023. Almost the entire content of the presentation has been blanked out.]

 

8. Evaluation of the EBCG Regulation

– State of play by the Commission

 

9. Information on international seminars carried out by the Spanish Presidency, in relation to Spain’s status as the external border of the EU

– Presentation by the Spanish delegation

 

10. Work programme of the incoming Belgian Presidency

– Presentation by the Belgian delegation

 

11. AOB

– Common minimum standards for land border surveillance – Presentation by the Lithuanian delegation

– Situation at the eastern border of Finland – Information by the Finnish delegation

 

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

12. State of play on Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Update by the Commission

 

13. AOB

 

---

12 September 2023

(return to top)

MIXED COMMITTEE

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 3947/1/23 REV 1]

 

2. Report on cooperation between Frontex and third countries in 2022

11863/1/23 REV 1 [Report on cooperation between Frontex and third countries in 2022. An overview of discussions and negotiations with non-EU states, as well as operational activity. Countries mentioned include Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Iraq, Moldova, Kosovo, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Ivory Coast, Togo, and others.]

– Presentation by Frontex [WK 11420/2023]

– Exchange of views

– 12560/23 (to be issued) [Note from the Spanish Council Presidency entitled ‘Synergies in and cooperation on the external dimension and borders’: “Taking into account the importance of the external dimension of Frontex and in view of the evaluation of the Regulation, the Presidency believes it is necessary to address different aspects in this area,” with questions on the most effective tools for cooperation between Frontex and third states; whether there is enough coordination between Frontex and member state external action; whether Frontex should coordinate better with other EU agencies on externalisation.]

 

3. External border management activities in the first half of 2023

– Presentation by Frontex [WK 11419/2023]

– 12561/23 (to be issued) [Report from Frontex, ‘External border management activities in the first half of 2023’. “In the first half of the year, Frontex implemented 21 Joint Operations (JOs) in 296 deployment locations. Currently Frontex deploys more than 2800 staff.”]

 

4. Eastern Partnership Annual Risk Analysis 2023 report

– Presentation by Frontex [WK 11418/2023]

– WK 10775/23 [Eastern Partnership Annual Risk Analysis 2023 report, request for access denied by the Council: “redaction would be disproportionate in relation to the parts that are eligible for disclosure, simultaneously undermining the principle of sound administration.” Further reasons invoked for non-disclosure by the Council were that the document contains “sensitive operational information/data”; “modus operandi (cooperation with Member States)”; “Relations with Third Countries”; “Ongoing international negotiations”; “Vulnerability Assessment”; “Number and profile of Human Resources”; “Number and type of technical equipment”; “Operational Area”; and “Personal data”.]

 

5. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council introducing a screening of third-country nationals at the external borders and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/817

– Debriefing of the technical meetings

 

6. Pilot projects in Bulgaria/Romania on accelerated asylum procedures, effective returns, border management and cooperation with neighbouring countries

– Update by the Commission and Bulgaria/Romania

 

7. AOB

 

WORKING PARTY ON FRONTIERS

8. State of play on Frontex status agreements and working arrangements

– Update by the Commission

 

9. AOB

 

Meetings

• 16 April 2026
• 2 March 2026
• 13 January 2026
• 19 November 2025
• 31 October 2025 (admission)
• 30 and 31 October 2025
• 25 September 2025
• 4 September 2025
• 16 July 2025
• 8 and 9 July 2025
• 23 June 2025
• 4 and 5 June 2025
• 13 and 14 May 2025
• 23 April 2025
• 1 April 2025
• 18 February 2025
• 21 January 2025
• 4 December 2024
• 24 October 2024
• 24 July 2024
• 7 June 2024
• 23 April 2024
• 12 March 2024
• 8 February 2024
• 16 January 2024
• 20 December 2023
• 19 September 2023

Please note: All documents listed (whether officially numbered or referred to otherwise, for example as a presentation) have been requested by Statewatch. If there is a link to the document, the request was successful or it has been obtained via other means. If there is no link to a document, the request is still pending. Where access has been refused or only partial access has been granted a note is included. Text in square brackets is an addition to the original agenda.

---

16 April 2026

COMIX items

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 2382/26

2. Further reinforcing visa leverage linked to return and readmission

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by the Commission

– Exchange of views

7929/26

3. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a Visa Code

– Exchange of views on readmission cooperation by Somalia

4. AOB

Non-COMIX items

5. Negotiations of readmission agreement with Kazakhstan and particularly the link with the Visa Facilitation negotiations

– Information by the Commission

6. AOB 

Information by the French delegation concerning the proposed discussion on readmission of third country nationals and stateless people

---

2 March 2026

COMIX items

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 1639/1/26

2. The future of Frontex: returns

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by the Commission

– Exchange of views

6316/25 (to be issued)

3. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Visa Code Article 25a

– Debrief from the EU-Ethiopia Joint Working Group (18 February 2026) and exchange of views

4. Visa strategy

– Presentation by the Commission of the Visa Code Article 25a related elements

5. AOB

Non-COMIX items

6. Global Europe instrument

– Information by the Presidency on the readmission-related aspects

7. Readmission negotiations with Nigeria

– Exchange of views

8. Readmission negotiations with Kazakhstan

– Update by the Commission

9. Toolbox addressing the use of commercial means of transport to facilitate irregular migration to the EU

– Information from the Commission on the Working Paper on Irregular Migration by Air to be presented at the ICAO Facilitation Panel in April 2026

10. AOB

---

13 January 2026

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 5545/25

2. Implementation of return border procedure

– Presentation by the Presidency
– Presentation by the Commission
– Exchange of views
17042/25 (to be issued)

3. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a
Visa Code
– Exchange of views on readmission cooperation by Guinea, Somalia, Senegal, Ethiopia
and The Gambia

4. Implementation of Frontex activities in the field of return

– Presentation by Frontex
– Exchange of views

5. AOB

Non-COMIX items

6. Readmission negotiations with Kazakhstan and Iraq

– Presentation by the Commission

7. AOB

---

19 November 2025 

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 5090/25

2. Draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common
system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and
repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council,
Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

– Information by the Presidency on the follow-up on Ireland’s participation in the Return
Regulation;
– Examination of the updated third Presidency compromise proposal

3. AOB

---

31 October 2025 (admission)

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 4657/25

2. Information from the Presidency

– Status of the negotiations on the EU Talent Pool.

3. Securing fair recruitment and decent working conditions for third-country nationals

– Presentation by BusinessEurope
– Presentation by ETUC
= Exchange of views.

4. Control and monitoring to prevent abusive recruitment practices

– Presentation by IRIS (IOM)
– Presentation by the ELA
= Exchange of views.

5. Talent Partnerships and bilateral agreements and cooperation with partner countries on
mobility

– Presentation by the Commission.
– Exchange of views

6. AOB

---

30 and 31 October 2025

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 4613/25

2. Draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

– Presentation of the second Presidency compromise proposal
– Article by Article examination

3. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a
Visa Code
– Exchange of views

4. AOB

---

25 September 2025

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 4092/1/25

COMIX items

2. Draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

– Presentation of the Presidency compromise proposal
– Article by Article examination

3. AOB

Non-COMIX items

4. EU-Iraq readmission arrangements – update by the Commission

5. AOB

---

4 September 2025

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3665/25

2. Commission’s Assessment of third countries’ level of cooperation on readmission in 2024
(CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL)

‒ Presentation by the Commission
‒ Presentation by the Presidency
‒ Exchange of views

11331/25 + ADD 1 (CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL)

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

– Article by Article examination (Articles 45-49 and recitals)

6917/1/25 REV1 + ADD 1-2

4. AOB

---

16 July 2025

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3493/25

2. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Visa Code
Article 25a

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

– Article by Article examination

6917/1/25 REV1 + ADD 1-2

4. AOB

---

8 and 9 July 2025

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3366/25

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

– Article by Article examination (Article 23-27)

6917/1/25 REV1 + ADD 1-2

3. AOB

---

23 June 2025

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3156/25

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council,
Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

–Article by Article examination (Article 20-25)

6917/1/25 REV1 + ADD 1-2

3. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a Visa Code

4. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Danish Presidency

5. AOB

---

4 and 5 June 2025

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 2949/25

Non-COMIX items

2. Draft Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations on an agreement between
the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan on readmission

–Presentation of the revised Presidency compromise proposal and (poss.) approval

7012/1/25 REV 1 + ADD 1 REV 2 (R-UE/EU-R) (to be issued)

3. AOB

COMIX items

4. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

–Article by Article examination (Articles 12-23)

6917/25 + ADD 1

5. AOB

---

13 and 14 May 2025

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 2549/1/25

COMIX items

2. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

–Article by Article examination
6917/25 + ADD 1

3. AOB

Non-COMIX items

4. AOB

-Information by the Commission on the negotiations on the EU-Iraq readmission
arrangements

---

23 April 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

COMIX items

2. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Ethiopia: update by the Presidency, Commission and the EEAS and exchange of views on readmission cooperation1

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a Visa Code

– Exchange of views on readmission cooperation by Somalia

WK 4228 2025

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

– Presentation by the Commission and continuation of exchange of views on Chapters VI and VII

– Presentation by the Commission and continuation of exchange of views on the definition of voluntary return, issuance of return decision, relation between voluntary return and removal

– Presentation by the Commission of Article 9 (Recognition and enforcement of return decisions issued by another Member State)

6917/25 + ADD 1

4. AOB

 

Non-COMIX items

5. Draft Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations on an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan on readmission

– Revised Presidency compromise proposal and exchange of views

7012/25 + ADD 1 REV 1 (R-UE/EU-R) (to be issued)

 

6. AOB

 

---

1 April 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

COMIX items

2. Implementation of return border procedure

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by the Commission

– Presentation by Frontex

– Presentation by EUAA

– Exchange of views

7130/25

 

3. Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC

– Presentation by the Commission

– Exchange of views

6917/25 + ADD 1

 

4. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a Visa Code

– Exchange of views on readmission cooperation by Somalia

 

5. AOB

 

Non-COMIX items

6. Draft Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations on an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan on readmission

– Presidency compromise proposal and exchange of views

7012/25 + ADD 1 (R-UE/EU-R)

 

7. AOB

 

---

18 February 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

COMIX items

2. Increasing the effectiveness of returns by improving operational arrangements for identification activities, including through the digitalisation of the third country nationals’ identification process

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by the Commission

– Presentation by Frontex

– Exchange of views

6040/25 (to be issued)

 

3. Preparation for the March Schengen Council: implementation of the priorities of the annual Schengen Council cycle – Increasing the effectiveness of the return systems

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by the Commission

– Exchange of views

6041/25 (to be issued)

 

4. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a Visa Code

– Exchange of views on readmission cooperation by Somalia and Ethiopia

 

5. AOB

 

Non-COMIX items

6. Commission Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations on an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan on readmission [R-UE/EU-R]

– Information by the Commission

– Exchange of views

6038/25 + ADD 1 EU RESTRICTED

 

7. Implementation of the “Toolbox addressing the use of commercial means of transport to facilitate irregular migration to the EU” – preparation of the draft Working Paper for the next International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly

– Update by the Commission

 

8. AOB

 

 

---

21 January 2025

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Proposal for a Council implementing decision setting out recommendations addressing identified common areas for improvement resulting from the 2024 thematic Schengen evaluation ‘Bridging national gaps: towards an effective EU return system through common solutions and innovative practices’

– Presentation by the Commission [789/2025 INIT]

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Exchange of views on certain return-related aspects

17015/24

5243/25 (to be issued)

[Presentation by Frontex: Increasing the effectiveness of returns by improving operational arrangements for identification activities, including through the digitalisation of the third country nationals’ identification process, WK 2207/2025 INIT]

 

3. Increasing the effectiveness of returns in view of the future legal framework on returns

– Presentation by the Commission

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Exchange of views

5244/25 (to be issued)

 

4. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a Visa Code

 

5. AOB:

‒ Presentation by the Commission of the Commission Staff Working Document on the return of illegally staying third country nationals posing a security threat

 

---

4 December 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

2. Towards the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum – recent initiatives on alternatives to detention

– Presentation by EU Asylum Agency [WK 15883/24 INIT]

– Presentation by Frontex [WK 15298/24 INIT]

 

3. Implementation of Frontex activities in the field of return

– Presentation by Frontex

 

4. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a Visa Code

– Commission report on readmission cooperation with Ethiopia following the adoption of visa measures under Article 25a

– Exchange of views on readmission cooperation by Iraq, Somalia, The Gambia and Ethiopia

– Exchange of views on readmission cooperation of other priority countries

 

5. Increasing the effectiveness of returns – the opportunities and challenges of innovative solutions – follow up to the SCIFA discussion

‒ Presentation by the Presidency

‒ Presentation by the Commission

‒ Exchange of views

16084/24 (to be issued)

Key points:

• “A majority of Member States strongly supported the continuation of the in-depth examination of the concept”
• Return hubs should be outside the EU and people deported from there, IOM should support on enforcing “voluntary” deportations
• However: “Delegations found it challenging that Frontex would not be able to provide a meaningful contribution to the implementation of returns from return hubs under its current mandate, as operational support for return from third countries to third countries is currently not possible.”

 

6. Information by the Presidency about the outcomes of the project on mutual recognition

 

7. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming PL Presidency

[WK 15296/2024 INIT]

 

8. AOB

‒ Information by the Presidency about the outcomes of the EMN Hungary High-Level Presidency Conference “For more effective returns” (25-26 November, Budapest)

 

---

24 October 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

COMIX items

 

2. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Article 25a Visa Code

– Exchange of views on readmission cooperation by Iraq, Somalia, Gambia, Ethiopia, Senegal

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS and exchange of views on readmission cooperation by other priority countries not targeted by the proposals for Council implementing decisions on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council

 

3. Enhancing the effectiveness of the EU’s return policy – follow up to the 10 October JHA Council

– Presentation by the Presidency

‒ Presentation by the Commission

‒ Exchange of views

 

4. Facilitation of irregular migration by air – implementation of the “Toolbox addressing the use of commercial means of transport to facilitate irregular migration to the EU” and Commissions’ planned engagement with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

– Presentation by the Commission

‒ Presentation by the Frontex [WK 13482/2024 INIT]

‒ Exchange of views

14204/24

Key points:

• Calls for the Integration, Migration, and Expulsion (IMEX) working party to discuss addressing irregular migration via air, focusing on involving commercial transport operators, particularly airlines operating outside the EU, and outlines a “toolbox” of policy measures to respond. 
• Refers to “State-led instrumentalisation of migration,” citing Belarus’s 2021 actions facilitating flights carrying migrants from the Middle East and Asia to Belarus, enabling crossings into the EU.
• Asks member states to report specific air routes, air transit hubs, and airlines in third countries that facilitate irregular migration into the EU and solicits ideas on engaging the European Commission, international aviation organisations (ICAO and IATA), transport operators and “like-minded third countries” in “tackl[ing] the phenomenon.”

 

5. AOB

 

Non-COMIX items

6. Exchange of views on the way forward for the EU-Nigeria readmission agreement

 

7. AOB

 

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24 July 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

CM 3545/1/24 REV 1

 

COMIX items

2. Commission’s Assessment of third countries’ level of cooperation on readmission in 2023

‒ Presentation by the Commission

‒ Presentation by the Presidency on the follow-up

‒ Exchange of views

11797/24 + ADD 1 EU RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED (to be issued)

[See: Implementing the Pact: Commission calls for accelerated deportation procedures]

 

3. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

‒ Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Visa Code Article 25a

 

4. Steps towards a well-functioning return system

‒ Presentation by the Presidency

‒ Intervention by the Commission

‒ Exchange of views

12149/24

• Key points:
  • Notes that negotiations on a new version of the Return Directive have “stalled” and the number of deportations from the EU “remain significantly below the expected level”
  • The paper aims to build upon discussions in the first half of 2024 “to explore possible directions from a more operational perspective”
  • The document focuses on how “return of persons posing a security risk” can be ensured and accelerated

 

5. AOB

‒ Information by the Presidency about a pilot project on mutual recognition

[WK 10475/2024 INIT]

• Key points:
  • New legislation that came into force in 2023 makes it possible to put alerts on return decisions in the Schengen Information System, making them visible to all member states
  • This practice, intended to ensure mutual recognition of return decision between member states, is “effective in general terms” but “still wanting in terms of timeliness and adequacy in some cases”
  • The Hungarian Presidency is therefore launching a pilot project between 18 August and 18 November to change the situation, which is outlined in the document

 

Non-COMIX items

6. Proposed reaction of the EU to Interpretative Declaration of 31 July 2023 formulated by the Republic of Belarus regarding Article 20 of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

‒ Presentation by the Commission

‒ Exchange of views

WK 10337/2024

• Key points:
  • A draft note from the EU to the UN
  • Relates to a spat regarding an attempt by Belarus’ to submit a particular interpretation of international law

 

7. AOB

‒ Update by the Commission on the draft EU-Iraq readmission arrangement

‒ (poss.) Update by the Commission on the draft EU-Nigeria readmission agreement

 

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7 June 2024

(return to top)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 3000/24]

 

2. Towards better statistics on returns

– Presentation by the Presidency

‒ Presentation by the Commission

‒ Presentation by Frontex

– Exchange of views

10412/24 (to be issued)

 

3. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

‒ Update by the Presidency, Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Visa Code Article 25a

‒ Exchange of views on readmission cooperation of Iraq and Senegal

‒ Update by the Commission and the EEAS and exchange of views on readmission cooperation of other priority countries not targeted by the proposals for Council implementing decisions on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council

 

4. Summary of the work done in IMEX Expulsion working party under the Belgian Presidency

10413/24 (to be issued) [Presidency summary of the discussions on liaison officers as partners to build a stronger common European return system]

10414/24 (to be issued) [Presidency summary of the discussions on making the return systems more effective: a reflection towards the future of the EU return policy]

 

5. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Hungarian Presidency

 

6. AOB

– Information by the Presidency on the priorities of the Schengen cycle 2024-2025

 

7.     AOB

‒ Information by the Presidency on the compendium of national contact points for the exchange of unclassified administrative information between immigration and asylum authorities on third country nationals who may pose a security threat

 

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23 April 2024

(return to top)

 

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 2276/24]

 

2. Making the EU return system more effective: a continuation of the reflection towards the future of the EU return policy

– Presentation by the Presidency

‒ Presentation by the Commission

– Exchange of views

8751/24 (to be issued)

 

3. Voluntary return and reintegration – follow up on Fedasil conference held on 19-20 March 20242

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by the Commission

‒ Presentation by Frontex

‒ Exchange of views

8752/24 (to be issued)

 

4. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

‒ Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Visa Code Article 25a

‒ Update by the Commission and the EEAS and exchange of views on readmission cooperation of other priority countries not targeted by the proposals for Council implementing decisions on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council

 

5. (poss.) Visa Code Article 25a exercise – continuation of the discussion on the effectiveness of the mechanism

– Presentation by the Commission of the Staff Working Document on evaluation of the Visa Code

‒ Exchange of views

6253/24 (to be issued) [+ADD 1, ADD 2]

 

6. AOB

– Presentation of the best practises in the field of returns at the Working Party on Schengen Matters (26 April 2024) – information by the Presidency

Non-COMIX items

 

7. AOB:

Draft new Generalised Preference Scheme (GSP) Regulation – information by the Presidency

 

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12 March 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

COMIX items

2. Making the return systems more effective: a reflection towards the future of the EU return policy

– Presentation by the Presidency

‒ Presentation by the Commission

– Exchange of views

6936/24 (to be issued) [Presidency discussion paper with the same title as the agenda item, and one of several papers issued on this theme since September 2023. This paper says that: “The Presidency deems necessary to discuss the Member States’ needs as regards the future of the EU return policy and, in particular, as regards its legal framework,” and draw conclusions. The Presidency is not aiming to restart talks on the Returns Directive negotiating mandate, “but rather to draw inspiration from it to define Member States’ current needs as to the future legal framework in the area of return.” Discussions in a number of fora will take place: this meeting, SCIFA on 10 April 24 and IMEX on 23 April, looking at three main issues: harmonization; creative solutions; and horizonal issues. Some further detail is provided on these.]

 

3. Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the evaluation in accordance with Article 121 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1052/2013 and (EU) 2016/1624, with a specific focus on the section related to returns (articles 48 to 53)

‒ Presentation by the Commission [Frontex is invited to participate in this agenda subitem.]

‒ Intervention by Frontex [Frontex is invited to participate in this agenda subitem.]

‒ Exchange of views

5490/24 + ADD1+ADD2 [The Commission’s report on the evaluation of Frontex, the accompanying action plan and the evaluation itself. Also discussed in meetings of SCIFA, the External Aspects of Migration Working Party and the Working Party on Frontiers, accompanied by discussion papers.]

6942/24 (to be issued) [‘Presidency discussion paper on the evaluation report from the Commission on the EBCG regulation – return aspects’. The paper highlights the need for improvement on return in various ways, including by having more member state return authorities represented on the Frontex management board, more management board discussion on return, increase funding, improving coordination between the Commission and Frontex, plus numerous operational issues.]

 

4. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

‒ Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Visa Code Article 25a

‒ Assessment of the level of readmission cooperation of The Gambia with a view to proceeding towards the approval of the proposal for a Council implementing Decision on repealing Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2459 on the application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia

13574/23

‒ Assessment of the level of readmission cooperation of Ethiopia with a view to proceeding towards the approval of the proposal for a Council implementing Decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council with respect to Ethiopia

13582/23

‒ Update by the Commission and the EEAS and exchange of views on readmission cooperation of other priority countries not targeted by the proposals for Council implementing decisions on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council

 

5. Visa Code Article 25a exercise – continuation of the discussion on the effectiveness of the mechanism

– Presentation by the Commission of the Staff Working Document on evaluation of the Visa Code

‒ Exchange of views

6253/24 (to be issued) [Evaluation of the Visa Code, accompanied by ADD 1 and ADD 2 REV 2]

 

6. AOB

 

Non-COMIX items

7. AOB

– Draft new Generalised Preference Scheme (GSP) Regulation – information by the Presidency

‒ Information exchange between Counter-terrorism authorities and Immigration and Asylum authorities – information by the Presidency

 

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8 February 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 1204/24]

COMIX items

2. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

‒ Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Visa Code Article 25a

‒ Information by the Presidency on the way forward as regards priority countries targeted by the proposals for Council implementing decisions on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council

‒ Update by the Commission and the EEAS and exchange of views on readmission cooperation of other priority countries not targeted by the proposals for Council implementing decisions on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council

3. Liaison officers as partners to build a stronger common European return system

‒ Presentation by the Presidency

‒ Presentation by Frontex [WK 2143/2024. Covers three different points: How do EURLOs coordinate their work with other Liaison Officers in the host Third Country?; What is the EURLOs contribution in cases of returnees with criminal background or posing a threat to national/EU security? (censored); What is the role of EURLOs in the area of reintegration? How do they monitor post post-return activities?]

‒ Exchange of views

5494/24 [Document produced by the Belgian Council Presidency, same title as the agenda item. The paper explains the different types of national and EU liaison officer and notes: “To this day, around 500 national liaison officers are deployed around the world,” mainly in Europe, Asia and Africa. It discusses where and how the work of liaison officers could better-coordinated in order to improve their role in deportations and readmission.]

 

4. Outcome of the Schengen evaluations in the field of return

‒ Presentation by the Commission

‒ Exchange of views

5496/24 [A “non-paper… prepared by the Commission services. It has not been formally endorsed by the College of Commissioners. It provides an overview of the Schengen evaluations in the field of return from 2020-23, discussing persistent deficiencies (human resources, limited detention capacity, limited possible duration of detention, slow asylum decision-making) and proposes potential ways to resolve these issues. A fairly detailed overview indicating where deportation policy is likely to head in the coming months and years.]

 

5. AOB

‒ Thematic Schengen Evaluation 2024 in the field of return – information by the Presidency

‒ Experts Conference on Voluntary Return and Reintegration (19-20 March 2024, Antwerp) – information by the Presidency

 

Non-COMIX items

6. AOB

– Draft new Generalised Preference Scheme (GSP) Regulation – information by the Presidency

 

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16 January 2024

(return to top)

Format: 1+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

 

COMIX items

2. Visa Code Article 25a exercise – discussion on the efficiency of the mechanism

– Exchange of views

17110/23 (to be issued) [‘Presidency discussion paper on effectiveness of the visa leverage (Visa Code Article 25a mechanism)’, reported on by Statewatch here: Deportations: EU considers stepping up visa sanctions after Iraq and Gambia change policies]

 

3. Visa Code Article 25a exercise

– Update by the Commission and the EEAS on the state of implementation of Visa Code Article 25a, including the preparation of the yearly assessment of cooperation on readmission during 2023

– Presentation by the Presidency on the way forward as regards the proposals currently on the table for a Council implementing decision on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council

– Exchange of views

17111/23 (to be issued) [“Article 25a of the Visa Code… is currently the only legal tool at our disposal for all third countries to improve readmission cooperation… as of January 2024, the concrete follow-up of the annual Visa Code Article 25a exercise will be re-assigned from the Visa Working Party to the Integration, Migration and Expulsion (IMEX Expulsion) Working Party.” The paper discusses the results of threatening or employing visa sanctions against Iraq (“unprecedented”), Bangladesh (“a significant decrease in the quality of the cooperation”), The Gambia (“positive steps”), Senegal (“mixed”) and Ethiopia (discussions ongoing). A number of questions are put to delegations for discussion.]

 

4. Implementation of Frontex activities in the field of return [Frontex is invited to participate in this agenda item.]

– Presentation by Frontex [Two presentations contained in WK 00672/2024: General update on Frontex return and reintegration activities; Agency’s objectives in return (2024 onwards). Both censored to some degree.]

– Exchange of views

 

5. AOB

 

Non-COMIX items

6. AOB

– Draft new Generalised Preference Scheme (GSP) Regulation – information by the Presidency

– New Partnership Agreement with the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (Samoa Agreement) – information by the Presidency

 

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20 December 2023

(return to top)

Format: 1+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 5609/23]

 

2. Implementation of Frontex activities in the field of return [Frontex is invited to participate in this agenda item.]

– Presentation by Frontex [Contained in WK 17183/2023, ‘General update on Frontex return and reintegration activities’]

– Exchange of views

 

3. Innovative approaches to return operations: mixed voluntary and non-voluntary returns on the same charter flight [Frontex is invited to participate in this agenda item.]

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Intervention by the Commission

– Intervention by Frontex

– Exchange of views

16135/23 [‘Presidency discussion paper on innovative approaches to return operations: mixed voluntary and non-voluntary returns on the same charter flight’: Following a proposal from Spain, Frontex tested transporting forced and voluntary returnees on the same charter flight, which was succesful on three occasions in 2023, with a further flight pending. “If the evaluation of the activity is positive, then ECRET [Frontex’s returns division] will consider it to be included as a standard service”]

 

4. Making returns more effective – follow up to the 5 December Schengen Council discussion:

– Presentation by the Presidency

– Presentation by the Commission

– Exchange of views

16143/23 [‘Presidency paper on making the return systems more effective’: the paper focuses on the “internal dimension [of returns]… in particular prioritising effective returns of third country nationals posing a security threat and advancing towards a European return decision.” A paper with the same title was discussed in SCIFA on 23 November 2023, and was reported on by Statewatch here.]

 

5. Commission assessment of the implementation of EBCGA regulation in the field of returns

– Information by the Commission

 

6. Visa code Article 25a exercise:

– Update by the Presidency

– Update by the Commission

 

7. Presentation of the latest policy developments as regards the fight against migrant smuggling

 

8. Presentation of the priorities of the incoming Belgian Presidency

[Contained in WK 17183/2023. With regard to externalisation, the presentation merely states: “External dimension: follow-up of current discussions”]

 

9. AOB

 

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19 September 2023

(return to top)

Format: 1+ 2 (Presidency 2+2)

1. Adoption of the agenda

[CM 4092/23]

 

2. Implementation of Frontex activities in the field of voluntary return and reintegration (including counselling, Joint Reintegration Services and their geographical scope)[1].

– Presentation by Frontex [Contained in WK 11904/23. General update on Frontex’s return and reintegration services, covering: International cooperation on return; Other pre-return activities; An overview of figures, with numbers increasing year-on-year; Update on the Joint Reintegration Services; Voluntary Return and Reintegration]

– Exchange of views

 

3. Promoting voluntary return and reintegration:

‒ Introduction by the Presidency

‒ Presentation by the Commission

‒ Presentation by IOM on the implementation of IOM good practises in voluntary return and reintegration [Presentation contained in WK 19004/23, entitled ‘Safe, dignified return and sustainable reintegration: Institutional approaches and practices from the field’. The presentation is more heavily-censored than the Frontex one contained in the same document. It states that IOM return counselling services are: “Aimed at empowering individuals and increase their agency to make their own decision instead of trying to influence it.” The IOM’s definition of sustainable integration includes: “Having achieved sustainable reintegration, returnees are able to make further migration decisions a matter of choice, rather than necessity”.]

‒ Presentation by San Ezequiel Moreno Foundation (FESEM) of the examples of successful Productive Voluntary Returns [Presentation contained in WK 11904/23, provides a basic overview of the activities undertaken by FESEM in the area of “voluntary” returns.]

‒ Exchange of views

12740/23 [Presidency discussion paper on promoting voluntary return and reintegration. Outlines the Commission strategy on Voluntary Return and Reintegration and seeks to stimulate discussion on reintegration as a key part of “sustainable return”; the importance of individualised advice and the role of local authorities or other counterparts; and the importance of expanding Frontex’s Joint Reintegration Services.]

 

3. AOB