Data sharing, protection are border security priorities

Justice minister Simonetta Sommaruga attended an EU Justice and Home Affairs council (JHA) meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday, where ministers continued anti-terrorism security discussions that began in the wake of the Brussels bombings.  Implementation of joint asylum measures were also on the agenda. At the main council meeting, ministers spoke of possible options to ensure that all states use existing information systems more effectively at the European and international levels. A first discussion presented by the European Commission focused on “smart borders” – a project intended to reinforce security in the Schengen area, modernise border management, and intensify collaboration between migration authorities and groups charged with border control. Sommaruga declared that Switzerland supports propositions to bring technical measures quickly into effect in the short term, while leaving the door open for future developments. She emphasised the critical importance ...