Minister Poklukar at the meeting of EU Interior Ministers in Luxembourg

The agenda included a debate on the extension of temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine. Ministers reached a political agreement on the extension of temporary protection until March 2027. "Slovenia supports the extension of temporary protection, as the situation in Ukraine remains unstable. In addition, there is still a risk of additional pressure on Member States' asylum and reception systems if displaced persons suddenly apply for international protection in large numbers," Minister Poklukar said in the debate. Ministers also discussed the Council's recommendations for future exit strategies, which also foresee a gradual transition from temporary protection to other forms of legal status and the organisation of voluntary return once the conditions for this are met. Mr Poklukar welcomed the debate and the proposed solutions, but further stressed that "a coordinated approach at the level of the European Union and cooperation with Ukraine will be crucial in this regard", and that reintegration programmes and finding solutions for persons who do not meet the conditions for obtaining other forms of residence permits will also need to be discussed.

Ministers also discussed the European Internal Security Strategy. Slovenia considers that the new European Internal Security Strategy adequately addresses the key threats to internal security. In several places, the Strategy stresses the importance of implementing the legislation already adopted, which we consider to be of key importance. It is essential for Slovenia to start as soon as possible with the implementation of the recommendations on ensuring lawful access to data, including the regulation of data retention. "Without regulating data retention, we will not be able to investigate modern forms of crime, which are increasingly migrating to the digital environment," stressed Mr Poklukar, who also supported the continuation of the European Multidisciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) cycle and called on the European Commission to provide sufficient additional funding for the implementation of the activities. Slovenia also recognises the important supporting role of the European Union agencies, which must be provided with adequate resources to carry out the tasks entrusted to them.

They took stock of the situation in Ukraine, Moldova and Syria, in the light of the impact of the current geopolitical situation on the internal security of the European Union. At their meeting in October 2023, the Ministers of the Interior endorsed the launch of a structured dialogue on internal security with the Ukrainian authorities. The dialogue is based on the operational needs of the Ukrainian authorities in addressing key threats to the internal security of both the European Union and Ukraine. The European Union's response has also been extended to Moldova in view of the serious consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine for the stability and security of this candidate country. From Slovenia's point of view, it is crucial that the European Union helps Ukraine and Moldova to build resilience against hybrid, cyber and security threats, as this prevents the spread of instability into the European Union's immediate neighbourhood, which could have an impact on its internal security.

The situation in Syria, particularly in the north-eastern part of the country, remains complex and volatile following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 to a coalition of rebel forces. The fall has created an unpredictable environment with the potential for increased instability, which could have implications for the EU's internal security. The European Union's efforts are therefore primarily focused on counter-terrorism.

Ministers also addressed the increasingly unstable situation in Libya, along with implications for security and stability in the region. Member States stressed the need for continued dialogue, joint action in particular on return, border management, fight against smuggling and adequate financial assistance. The European Commission stands ready to continue technical missions as soon as the situation permits and the Presidency will ensure that the discussion continues in the Council.

The working lunch focused on strengthening return as one of the central pillars of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and on strengthening cooperation with third countries on the readmission of persons who have no right to reside in the European Union. Third country cooperation on return is key to an effective migration policy, and Slovenia supports the integration of return into comprehensive partnerships with third countries. In this context, we advocate a united European Union, greater transparency of procedures and credibility of measures, including the use of positive incentives and quiet diplomacy and the linking of visa policy with development cooperation. Mr Poklukar also underlined that while we support the efforts to swiftly adopt the general approach of the Council to the proposed Return Regulation, our goal should not be compromise at any cost - solutions must be effective, sustainable and workable in practice.

The afternoon part of the meeting was devoted to the political governance of the Schengen area. Slovenia supports the proposed priorities for the next Schengen cycle, with emphasis on the consistent implementation of the commitments already made and the provision of sufficient resources for the implementation of the agreed measures. The full functioning of the area without internal border controls is a value that must be preserved for the benefit of citizens and economic operators in all Schengen members. The European Commission has an important role to play in this respect, using its powers to ensure that the Schengen acquis is strictly respected. It is important for Slovenia that Member States work together to ensure the security of the European Union and the Schengen area, not only at the external borders, but also in the interior. Slovenia is carrying out a large number of compensatory measures in the interior, and we would like to see the European Commission listening to us when it comes to financing activities and equipment for these purposes as well.

One of the most important activities for more effective control of the external border and thus the protection of the Schengen area will be the trilateral patrols of Slovenian, Croatian and Italian police, which will start operating on the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina next week.

The day before the meeting, the Minister attended a ceremony in Schengen to mark the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement. He stressed the importance of a thorough reflection on the future of the Schengen area by restoring trust between Member States.

On the margins of the meeting, the Minister met with some of his fellow Interior Ministers, including his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi. They discussed measures to improve traffic flow at the former Fernetti border crossing due to police checks on the Italian side and the closure of the expressway on the Slovenian side.