On Thursday 28 February 2008, the Slovenian Minister of Justice, Dr Lovro Šturm, and Minister of the Interior, Mr Dragutin Mate, will chair the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.

At the meeting, the Ministers of Justice will decide on the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters. The Directive regulates certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters, confined exclusively to cases of cross-border mediation.

The Ministers will also discuss two issues related to environmental protection by means of criminal law provisions. The first issue will be the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of the environment through criminal law. In this context, the discussion will also touch on the definition of "protected habitat". The other issue on the agenda will be the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on ship-source pollution.  

The Ministers will also discuss the proposal for a Council Framework Decision amending the Framework Decision on combating terrorism.

At the meeting of the Mixed Committee, EU interior ministers will discuss the current situation and future activities related to the development of the second generation Schengen Information System as well as the current situation and planned activities related to the Proposal for a Directive on returning illegally staying third-country nationals. At the meeting of the EC/Switzerland/Liechtenstein Joint Committee, the newly established committee will discuss the proposals to amend the Rules of Procedure of the Council in order to enable the Principality of Liechtenstein to participate in the meetings of the EC/Switzerland Joint Committee. At the Council meeting, EU interior ministers will discuss unresolved issues related to the Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the European Police Office (EUROPOL). Based on the positions presented by the participants, there will be further discussion in the relevant working parties.

Further, the protocols on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Schengen acquis are envisaged to be signed during the meeting.

• Presidency Briefing
• Audiovisual note
• Public debate