Council of the European Union

PRESS RELEASE 550/18 - 05/10/2018

The Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs of Austria, representing the Presidency of the Council of the EU, together with the European Commission, represented by the European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, and the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, met on 4-5 October 2018 with their counterparts from the Western Balkans at the annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home affairs. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the trio Presidency partners, Estonia and Bulgaria, as well as by the incoming Romanian Presidency. The Ministers underlined the key importance of the respect of rule of law, justice and fundamental rights in the EU's relations with the region. They emphasised the need for practical cooperation on justice and home affairs. Justice Ministers discussed the topics of strengthening the rule of law and effective justice systems, and focused on the promotion of key standards for the judiciary, and on defining indicators to measure progress of justice reforms. In line with the Sofia Declaration of 17 May 2018, the Ministers of the Western Balkans partners reaffirmed their commitment to reinforce their reform efforts and bring about tangible progress in the area of rule of law. Ministers discussed under the home affairs section topics focusing on: migration and border management, counter-terrorism and radicalisation, as well as the joint fight against migrant smuggling and organised crime.