Justice and Home Affairs Pre-Council statement

Thursday 5th November 2015 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

An extraordinary meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council will be held on 9 November in Brussels. The meeting has been convened by the Luxembourg presidency of the Council of the European Union, in response to the ongoing migration crisis currently faced by Europe. I will attend on behalf of the UK.

We expect the discussion to focus on continuing efforts to manage ongoing migration pressures, including those at the external EU border and efforts to improve the effectiveness of the migration ‘hotspots’ in Italy and Greece, as well as the implementation of relocation measures in which the UK is not taking part. The discussion will also cover member states’ offers of practical assistance to those countries experiencing particular pressure. The UK is offering substantial assistance in that regard.

[HCWS294]