Between 20 – 21 November, the EUAA’s Executive Director, Nina GREGORI, hosted senior representatives of the nine EU Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Agencies in Malta. In a recorded message, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva JOHANSSON paid tribute to the Agencies’ work as critical implementers of the EU’s priorities in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice; as Europe faces increasing geopolitical instability and the current legislative term draws to a close.

This week, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) under its Presidency of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Agencies’ Network (JHAAN), welcomed senior representatives of all nine Agencies to Malta. European Commissioner Ylva JOHANSSON paid tribute to the work of the Agencies since 2019. Commissioner Johansson noted in particular the expanded mandates of the EUAA and EU Drugs Agency, as critical enablers of the EU’s priorities.

The upcoming Belgian Presidency of the Council highlighted its priorities on internal security, including stepping up the fight against drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and organised crime; as well as on asylum and migration. In this context, the work of the 9 EU JHA Agencies will be a priority in the coming months, including in efforts to conclude the Pact on Migration and Asylum, within the current EU legislature. Given the increasingly interwoven nature of the internal and external dimensions of Justice and Home Affairs, the European External Action Service (EEAS) outlined possible synergies with the JHAAN.

The Agencies’ representatives took stock of the implementation of the five thematic priorities of the EUAA’s 2023 Presidency of the JHAAN; namely Digitalisation, the EU Green Deal, Information provision in mixed migration situations, Cybersecurity, and the Communication and Promotion of the Network. Taken together they provide an important framework, both for reviewing the Agencies’ past operational accomplishments, as well as their upcoming priorities. In this context, the delegates shared their insights with the development of horizontal strategies that guide and prepare these bodies to face the challenges to come.