On 14 October 2022, Minister of the Interior Kristaps Eklons, participating in the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union in Luxembourg, stressed the need to prepare in advance for possible illegal and artificial flows of migrants as a politically created instrument and to approve amendments to the Schengen Borders Code so that Member States can react swiftly. The Minister also pointed out that the artificial creation of migration flows to destabilize the EU could also affect those Member States that do not have a direct external border.
At the meeting, K.Eklons discussed the current situation with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on the issue of Ukrainian war refugees, and the Commissioner acknowledged that Latvia is doing a good job in managing the issue of reception and resettlement of Ukrainian civilians. In this context, the Minister of the Interior stressed the need to urgently and adequately prepare for the approaching winter, both at EU and national level. The Minister also thanked the Commission for the guidelines on the issuance of visas to Russian citizens and their control at the border. “A common and strict approach on this issue is a key internal security issue. Latvia calls on all Member States to apply them on a strict case-by-case basis in order to mitigate potential threats to our common security.”
EU interior ministers discuss the situation in the Schengen area, including the management of external borders. Minister of the Interior K.Eklons highlighted the artificial creation of migration flows as an instrument that Latvia faced last year and which is still relevant today. “There is a high probability that in the future the topic will become even more important for all Member States, not only for those with a direct external border. Our experience teaches us that the situation needs to be constantly monitored as it can change at any time. The direction of these artificial flows depends on the interests of third-country regimes with the aim of abusing our duties and obligations. We reiterate our call for timely preparations and for the necessary amendments to the Schengen Borders Code to be approved as soon as possible. This will give Member States the necessary tools in such situations,” stressed K.Eklons
The meeting discussed the strengthening of the migration policy of the EU and possible challenges in cooperation with the Western Balkan countries, which are used as the main transit corridor for illegal migration flows to Europe from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. K.Eklons: “Although there are no significant migration flows from the Western Balkan countries to Latvia, it is important to continue to develop at EU level a coherent and sustainable cooperation with the countries of destination, transit and origin of migrants in order to stem and prevent irregular migration flows as far as possible. In the context of the hybrid attack organised by Belarus, the issue of improving the return process with Iraq is of particular relevance for Latvia. Following the development of new trends and routes, we should be ready to use all instruments also with other third countries.”
The European Commission briefed ministers on progress made in the implementation of the revised Schengen Information System (SIS). At the meeting, K.Eklons confirmed that the implementation of the revised SIS is a political priority. “Our efforts earlier this week have yielded positive results and we have now been able to make significant progress on the SIS tests,” emphasized K.Eklons The SIS was created as a compensatory mechanism for the absence of internal borders.