Home Affairs Ministers of G-6 agree to step up cooperation with third countries to counteract migratory pressure and in fight against terrorism

This international meeting served to review in detail common migratory measures and policies and to fight the mafias that traffic human beings, taking into account the just balance between the principles of solidarity and shared responsibility, and also to fight the threat of Jihadi terrorism on a joint basis, make progress on measures identified and propose new lines of action by joining forces rather than duplicating efforts with the firm determination to work on a more united front than ever before in order to defeat terrorism.

In this context, Juan Ignacio Zoido particularly thanked the solidarity expressed by the members of the G-6 over the terrible attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils as well as the unreserved support that they all showed the Government of Spain regarding the situation unfolding in Catalonia.

The Spanish Minister for Home Affairs pointed out that "all the members of the G-6, without exception, offered their backing and understanding for a return to democratic normality in Spain as soon as possible regarding the situation in Catalonia and agreed that this was an internal affair that must be resolved with strict respect for the Constitution and for prevailing legislation".

Juan Ignacio Zoido recalled that the meeting of the G-6 in Spain was announced by the President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, at the four-party Summit held in Paris on 28 August, at which the leaders spoke about the need to further step up collaboration on counter-terrorism. In this regard, Juan Ignacio Zoido sought to once again thank Poland for its generosity in ceding its turn to Spain, since it was the country that was scheduled to host this meeting.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Juan Ignacio Zoido, explained that the goal of this international forum of the G-6 of Home Affairs Ministers is to take joint measures and, above all, provide solutions on two key issues: migratory policies and the fight against Jihadi terrorism and radicalisation, which constitutes the greatest threat to the democratic co-existence of our societies.

Cooperation on migration

Juan Ignacio Zoido pointed out that this G-6 Summit tackled the need to implement effective measures and responses adapted to the migratory challenge in the Mediterranean, always based on those principles on which the migratory policy of the European Union are founded, which are the defence of legal and orderly migration and the genuine integration of immigrants.

In this regard, the Spanish Minister for Home Affairs stated to his G-6 European partners that all of this can be achieved based on five main pillars:

• Prevention at origin through cooperation with countries of origin and transit
• Operational projects on the ground
• Fighting people trafficking networks
• Border control
• Return policies

Juan Ignacio Zoido pointed out that Spain firmly backs prevention and, to that end, it is necessary to work directly on the ground, and stated that the initiatives that Spain, Italy, and particularly, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Libya and Niger are implementing, are fundamental for improving the management of migratory flows in the Mediterranean and for preventing people traffickers from continuing to endanger the lives of so many people.

Juan Ignacio Zoido highlighted that "Spain is aware of its responsibility as a State of first point of entry that exercises its commitment in our priority action zone - North Africa and West Africa - similarly to other countries, such as Italy and Morocco, although total responsibility should not be left to just the border States, as this is unfair".

The Spanish Minister for Home Affairs once again stressed that it is essential to step up cooperation with key third countries, such as Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Niger and Libya with the aim of counteracting migratory pressure in the Mediterranean.

Juan Ignacio Zoido recalled that this task should translate into such concrete measures as:

• Help in creating dedicated resources to control borders in Sub-Saharan countries and the Sahel to prevent movements of illegal immigrants.
• Provide technical assistance on maritime and land border control.
• Continue facilitating the economic and social development of migratory routes, creating a sustainable alternative for immigrants in countries of origin and transit.
• Fight against terrorism and radicalisation.
• Support the work of UNHCR and the IOM.

Fight against terrorism and radicalisation

As regards the fight against terrorism, the Minister for Home Affairs, Juan Ignacio Zoido, pointed out that all the members of the G-6 agreed on the need to continue improving and stepping up the exchange of information and intelligence through such channels as Interpol and Europol, as well as the swift application by all Member States of the European Directive on PNR (passenger name records) and the adoption of the recommendations of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in relation to interconnecting major European data bases.

Juan Ignacio Zoido claimed that in order to fight radicalisation, the work of the Radicalisation Awareness Network is very important, as is the work of the new High-Level Group of Experts on Radicalisation, and stepping up control measures on explosives precursors and the identification of measures for closer relations between dealers and authorities that satisfy the need of both while improving effectiveness in detecting suspicious transactions.

The Spanish Minister for Home Affairs pointed out that great emphasis was placed at this international forum on the project presented by Spain to the European Union of a Charter of Rights of Victims of Terrorism to recognise their singular position vis-à-vis victims of crime.

"We appreciate that it is essential to generate a sense of unity throughout society with the victims of terrorism and that all their rights must be recognised so that they can receive ongoing and real support. It is necessary for all Member States to undertake to eliminate administrative and judicial burdens and to provide them with comprehensive aid and protection. Spain's model is a benchmark and an example of good practices at an international level", claimed the Spanish Minister for Home Affairs.

Non official translation