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Federal Minister of the Interior Seehofer welcomes his Portuguese counterpart
press release 12 September 2018
Germany and Portugal sign first Dublin administrative arrangement
Today, Federal Minister Seehofer welcomed his Portuguese counterpart, Mr Eduardo Cabrita, Minister of Internal Administration, to a bilateral meeting in Berlin. Building on the close German-Portuguese cooperation, the two interior ministers talked about current challenges in the EU. Talks focused on current migration policy initiatives, and the ministers agreed that visible progress is needed to quickly implement the conclusions of the European Council.
Aufnahme aus dem Besprechungsraum (Larger version opens in new window) 
Source: BMI
An initial achievement is the first Dublin administrative arrangement concluded between the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community and Portugal’s Ministry of Internal Administration. Key elements of the bilateral arrangement are shorter time limits, more collective transfers and expedited procedures in cases of re-entry. The European Commission, which had been consulted in advance, approved of the arrangement and confirmed that it is in line with the applicable Dublin III Regulation. The administrative arrangement is intended to make Dublin cooperation between the two countries more effective, to manage and control migration, and in particular to prevent secondary migration within the EU.
Federal Minister Seehofer said: "I am very pleased to welcome my Portuguese counterpart as an important partner in the European Union in Berlin and to talk with him about solutions to the most urgent challenges of migration policy. We share the view that we must agree on a Common European Asylum System as soon as possible to finally make real progress. Cooperative member states can lead the way. The migration issue needs to be resolved. It is therefore an important signal that the Federal Ministry of the Interior was able to conclude the first arrangement on more efficient procedures for Dublin transfers with Portugal."
Minister Eduardo Cabrita said: "This meeting is another step towards building a Europe of solidarity, a Europe that respects human rights and takes a stand as an area of freedom and security. Portugal and Germany seek to actively and constructively meet the challenges of European migration policy. Ensuring a consistent Common European Asylum System and reforming the Dublin Regulation on the basis of responsibility and solidarity is our top priority."
