"We stand with Ukraine"

type: News , Topic: Security , Date: 05 March 2025

Federal Minister Faeser in Brussels for talks with her EU counterparts

Federal Minister of the Interior and Community Nancy Faeser met with her EU counterparts in Brussels on 5 March 2025. The meeting topics included protection for the Schengen area, the situation in Ukraine and the fight against organised crime.

"We have significantly cut irregular migration to Germany."

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser

Bundesministerin Nancy Faeser

Combating irregular migration

Ahead of the meeting, Federal Minister Faeser spoke about the measures Germany has taken to fight irregular migration: "We have cut irregular migration by 40 per cent compared to the previous year. That means our measures are working." And the number of removals from Germany increased by 30 per cent. Federal Minister Faeser said it was important to improve possibilities at EU level as well. She welcomed the European Commission’s announcement that it would soon present a proposal for amending the EU’s Return Directive. "Anyone who does not have the right to remain in the EU must leave. We need more options for ordering detention pending removal. And people who are required to leave the EU must be obligated to cooperate fully – or face penalties. We must avoid excessive bureaucracy and act more quickly," Federal Minister Faeser said, adding that voluntary returns, for example to Syria, would continue to receive support.

Germany provides the most support for Ukraine of any EU country

Federal Minister Faeser and her EU counterparts also discussed the impact of the current geopolitical situation on internal security and migration in Europe. "We will stand with Ukraine for as long as this horrific Russian war of aggression goes on, with people dying every day," the federal minister emphasised. The 1.2 million refugees from Ukraine who are now in Germany will remain safe. Federal Minister Faeser called for solidarity within the EU if the U.S. stance and ongoing Russian aggression lead to further waves of refugees. She said it was necessary to ensure a fair distribution within the EU and that Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic were currently shouldering most of the burden.

Talks with South American partners on fighting organised crime

On the margins of the JHA Council, talks with members of the Latin America Committee for Internal Security (CLASI) were also planned, with the aim of expanding joint projects to fight organised crime, above all in the area of drug trafficking, and to further improve operational cooperation among the police and customs authorities.

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What is the Justice and Home Affairs Council?

  • The EU’s Justice and Home Affairs Council is responsible for developing cooperation and coordinating policy on various cross-border issues in order to create a European area of freedom, security and justice.
  • The JHA Council is made up of the justice and interior ministers from all of the EU member states. 
  • The Council adopts legislation (usually together with the European Parliament) intended to guarantee fundamental rights and the free movement of persons throughout the EU, and to ensure a high level of security for EU citizens. 

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