The Slovenian Minister of the Interior Dragutin Mate will chair a meeting of EU home affairs ministers on Thursday, 5th June, while Dr Lovro Šturm, Slovenian Minister of Justice, will preside over a meeting of EU justice ministers on Friday, 6th June, in Luxembourg.

At the mixed committee meeting the EU ministers of the interior will discuss a report of the Friends of SIS II and the state of play of the SIS II communication network. The European Commission will present the global schedule for setting up the system and the Member States' migration to it. The Ministers will also discuss the draft directive for returning illegally staying third-country nationals and draft Council conclusions on managing external borders of the European Union.

At the Council the EU ministers of the interior will discuss the draft Council decision on the implementation of the Decision on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime. The Presidency expects the Council implementing decision and its annex to be adopted at this meeting. The Ministers will also discuss (and hopefully adopt) a draft agreement on PNR between the EU and Australia. Also on the agenda is a discussion of the report on the progress of the implementation of the counter-terrorism strategy and action plan, which will be presented by the EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator.

The justice ministers will discuss two proposals referring to environmental protection through criminal law: a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and Council on the protection of the environment through criminal law and a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and Council on ship-source pollution. Two other dossiers in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters are also on the agenda, i.e. the initiative with a view to adopting a Council framework decision on the enforcement of decisions rendered in absentia, and a proposal for a Council decision on the strengthening of EUROJUST.

In the field of civil law the ministers will discuss a proposal for a Council regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations and a proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation no. 2201/2003 as regards jurisdiction and introducing rules concerning applicable law in matrimonial matters (Rome III regulation).

The Presidency will acquaint Ministers with the progress made on the E-justice dossier and propose further activities in this area.

• Presidency Briefing
• Audiovisual note
• Public debate
• Note for video-streaming – Point 3

Video:

• Press Conference: Justice and Home Affairs Council (Thursday, June 5th 2008 at 13:30)
• Press Conference : Justice and Home Affairs Council (Friday, June 6th 2008 at 15:30)