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"Today's exchange of views on the Latvian Presidency priorities should serve as a basis for further cooperation between the Council and the European Parliament about topical issues such as internal security, terrorism and migration," said Kozlovskis.
The Minister pointed out that one of the main challenges for Latvian Presidency in the area of Home Affairs has been a stable and predictable development of EU policy to provide the necessary security to European citizens to guarantee their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
"Both events in Paris and Belgium demonstrate that terrorism is one of the most serious threats to the internal security of the European Union, therefore it is important to ensure a prompt and adequate response," said minister Kozlovskis. The Minister informed that the most urgent challenges related to counter-terrorism will be discussed in the informal Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial meeting in Riga at the end of January.
The Latvian Presidency intends to devote special attention to measures that support the fight against radicalization, improve exchange of information and cooperation between competent authorities. The Minister also confirmed in his address that the Council hopes to restart the dialogue on a European Union passenger name record mechanism. At the same time the minister confirmed that this mechanism should be designed in full respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Minister also informed that the Latvian Presidency will continue the work of the Italian Presidency on the review of the EU Internal Security Strategy, which will serve as an important framework for making further steps in strengthening internal security.
The minister also discussed the tasks that need to be accomplished in order to ensure effective implementation of well managed migration, asylum and border policy instruments.
