EU’s JHA Council: two days, ten subjects

The Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA Council) takes place on 25 and 26 January 2016. Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from the EU member states will meet at the Europa Building in Amsterdam to discuss European cooperation on security, migration and justice.

Ten subjects

The European Union faces major challenges on matters of justice and home affairs. Alongside cyber crime, it is mainly migration and the fight against terrorism that dominate the political agenda. The JHA Council of January 2016 is remarkable for the number of items on the agenda: no fewer than ten subjects spanning the entire field of justice and home affairs will be discussed in just two days.

Approach to terrorism

The morning of 25 January will be entirely devoted to a debate on information exchange and the local approach to terrorism. A presentation on cyber security will follow towards the end of the morning session.

Migration and cyber crime

Migration will be the main topic of discussion on Monday afternoon, with a range of subjects including the European Border and Coast Guard on the agenda. Tuesday 26 January will be devoted largely to cyber crime. The Dutch Minister of Security and Justice, Ard van der Steur, State Secretary for Security and Justice Klaas Dijkhoff and EU Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos will give a news briefing at 17.45.

The Netherlands’ aim as holder of the Presidency

Along with Luxembourg and Trio partners Malta and Slovakia, the Netherlands’ Presidency is aiming for a dynamic and interactive JHA Council. It has therefore opted for an approach that will stimulate political debate between the ministers in attendance on Monday and Tuesday.

Photo: EU Newsroom