Federal Councillor Beat Jans at the meeting of justice and home affairs ministers in Belgium
Bern, 25.01.2024 - Federal Councillor Beat Jans attended the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA Council) on 24 and 25 January in Belgium. The JHA Council is made up of the justice and home affairs ministers of all the EU member states. The four non-EU countries that are part of the Schengen agreement, of which Switzerland is one, are also involved in those discussions that relate to the Schengen acquis. The talks in Belgium focused on the future protection of Ukrainian refugees, the misuse of artificial intelligence and the fight against organised crime. At an initial meeting with German interior minister Nancy Faeser, the head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) reiterated the Federal Council's criticism of German controls at the Swiss border.
This was Mr Jans's first meeting with the justice and home affairs ministers of the EU and Schengen member states since taking office on 1 January. He emphasised the importance of regular and direct exchange, particularly on migration and organised crime. He said that no country could overcome these challenges on its own: they require joint solutions, which are easier to find if those involved know each other personally.
Protection for Ukrainian refugees temporary
Among the topics Mr Jans discussed with his counterparts in Brussels was the future protection of Ukrainian refugees. Switzerland is coordinating closely with other European countries. Ministers agree that a joint approach is key. Switzerland is nevertheless taking on a pioneering role in this regard: on 29 September 2023, the Federal Council published a provisional strategy for lifting protection status S at some point in the future.
Around 66,000 Ukrainians with protection status S are currently living in Switzerland. Mr Jans reiterated that protection in Switzerland is only temporary and that the refugees will have to return home as soon as the situation in Ukraine allows it.
The Federal Council is seeking to integrate as many Ukrainians as possible into the labour market during their stay in Switzerland. Mr Jans does not see this as a contradiction: "We are convinced that integration is in the interests of the refugees and the host country, even if they will one day return home.ˮ Through integration, Ukrainian refugees can acquire new and valuable skills on the Swiss labour market for when they return home: "Switzerland is therefore making a contribution to Ukraine's recovery,ˮ Mr Jans explained.
Drug trafficking is one of the biggest threats to Europe's internal security. On 24 January, the Belgian chair therefore invited the ministers to visit the port of Antwerp, where 116 tonnes of cocaine were seized by the Belgian customs authorities in 2023 alone. The continent's ports are the largest entry point for cocaine onto the European market.
Belgium has therefore launched an ‘Alliance of European Ports' aimed at strengthening cooperation between state and private stakeholders. In addition, civil authorities such as land registries and tax authorities are to work more closely with the police. The discussions on artificial intelligence centred on its misuse through fraud, deepfake technology and disinformation.
Request to Germany
Mr Jans also took the opportunity for bilateral talks with his counterparts. At the meeting with Germany's interior minister, Nancy Faeser, he reiterated the Federal Council's disapproval at the border controls unilaterally introduced by Germany. Germany has repeatedly emphasised that cooperation with Switzerland is working well. There is also a joint action plan to curb secondary migration: "There is no need for controls at the border with Switzerland,ˮ Mr Jans made clear.
Further bilateral meetings took place with EU commissioner Ylva Johansson, Belgian interior minister Annelies Verlinden, Liechtenstein's home affairs minister, Sabine Monauni, and French interior minister, Gérald Darmanin.
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