Skip to main content

Interior Minister and FRA Director on closer cooperation during the Slovenian Presidency

Today, Minister of the Interior Aleš Hojs met with Michael O'Flaherty, the Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).
Bilateral meeting of the Interior Minister with FRA Director
1 / 2

During their conversation they touched upon the preparations for the Slovenian presidency in the area of home affairs in the second semester of 2021. The Minister outlined key priorities of the Ministry, namely strengthening the Schengen area, a comprehensive management of migration, and ensuring a high level of safety in the EU and Slovenia; regional priorities are focused on the Western Balkans.

They also discussed possibilities for closer cooperation between the Ministry and FRA during the presidency. Director O'Flaherty offered to the Minister professional support of his Agency, which monitors closely the activities of the Ministry and the Police in terms of fundamental rights. “The cooperation of the Ministry and the Police with FRA has been very effective ever since its establishment,” said the Minister and added he believed this would continue in the future.

FRA’s Director brought the Minister up to speed with the Handbook on European law relating to asylum, borders and immigration issued by FRA last December. “It is important that the key conclusions are suitably reflected in the new legislation within the Pact on Migration and Asylum« emphasised the Minister and added that the June presentation of the Agency’s annual activity report could contribute to discussions on shaping a comprehensive migration policy. Since FRA’s areas of work also concern the fight against terrorism, the Minister welcomed an expert report in this field to be issued this September.