JHA COUNCIL "RECOGNIZES" SWEDEN'S PROBLEM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000541

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS PREL PREF SMIG KCRM SW EUN
SUBJECT: JHA COUNCIL "RECOGNIZES" SWEDEN'S PROBLEM
WITH IRAQI REFUGEES

REF: 2006 BRUSSELS 04123

SUMMARY
--------------


1. EU ministers for Justice and Home Affairs (JHA
Council) on February 15 "recognized" Sweden's
"particular problem" with its number of Iraqi
refugees. Commission Vice-President Frattini
promised to look at the situation with a view to
presenting proposals to the Council. The German
Presidency said ministers agreed to reinforce the EU
Agency for the management of the EU's external
borders (FRONTEX) by advancing the Rapid Border
Intervention Teams project and by contributing
helicopters, patrol boats and equipment to the
Agency in anticipation of an influx of refugees
across EU borders this spring. Police and judicial
cooperation issues discussed at the Council have
been reported SEPTEL. Full text of Council
conclusions has been transmitted to EUR/ERA. END
SUMMARY.

IRAQI REFUGEES IN EU COUNTRIES
--------------


2. Speaking at the final press conference of the
February 15 JHA Council, German Interior
Minister/Council chair Schduble said the Council
"recognized the particular problem" raised by the
Swedish delegation with the large number of Iraqi
refugees in its country. Sweden, which takes in the
highest number of refugees in the EU, wants its EU
partners to share the burden and provide funding to
staes neighboring Iraq. More than 9,000 Iraqis
sought asylum in Sweden last year and Iraqis now
represent the second largest group of migrants
(after the Finns) in the country. Commission Vice-
President Frattini said he would work with the
German Presidency to deal with the issue
"specifically and in writing" by "submitting ideas
to the ministers" before their next meeting in
April. Frattini said the number of Iraqi refugees,
which was "a problem for Sweden now," could
potentially affect other countries as well.

MIGRATION PROBLEMS/FRONTEX
--------------


3. The Council reviewed EU efforts to strengthen
cooperation with non-EU countries in the fight
against illegal migration through the development of
cooperation incentives, the conclusion of
partnership agreements on migration and development,
and the promotion of "circular migration" (allowing
temporary stays for the purpose of work, training or
education). The debate took place on the basis of a
note from the German Presidency advocating practical
support to countries of origin and transit for
capacity-building within the framework of region-
specific cooperation platforms for migration and
development. Commission Vice-President Frattini
noted that Development Commissioner Michel, during
his recent visit to Mali, had promised to establish
a first "common center" in Africa with a view to
providing potential migrants with information about
legal forms of migration to Europe and the dangers
of illegal channels.


4. With a reference to the anticipated influx of
refugees onto the EU's Southern borders in the
spring, Schduble reported "a great deal of
enthusiasm" about the idea of reinforcing the
European border management agency (FRONTEX). More
specifically, Schduble and Frattini said ministers
agreed to move ahead with the proposed Rapid Border
Intervention Teams to be composed of member state
experts that would be sent by FRONTEX to those EU
countries having to cope with an influx of illegal
migrants. Frattini was confident that the Council
and the European Parliament would be able to reach
consensus on the proposed Regulation in time for
formal approval at the April JHA Council, thus
allowing the scheme to become operational at the
beginning of May.


5. Schduble and Frattini said member states would
also support FRONTEX in setting up a technical
central register known as the "toolbox." The

BRUSSELS 00000541 002 OF 002


Regulation establishing FRONTEX of October 2004
already included provisions on centralized records
of technical equipment offered by member states that
could be put by the Agency at the disposal of
another country facing a difficult situation at its
borders. The register will include surveillance
aircraft, helicopters, patrol boats and equipment to
control borders. Frattini, who had recently been
complaining in the media about the lack of
cooperation from member states, declared himself
confident after the Council meeting that EU
governments were prepared to announce further
contributions and to provide FRONTEX with the
necessary operational equipment. His spokesman said
19 member states had so far made contributions,
totaling 13 helicopters and about 50 boats as well
as technical equipment for border surveillance.
German sources said the Federal Police registered
four helicopters for land and sea surveillance, one
boat for operations in the North and Baltic Seas and
portable thermal imaging cameras.

ENLARGEMENT OF SCHENGEN AREA
--------------


6. Meeting in the Mixed Committee with Schengen
participants Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, EU
Home Affairs ministers:

-- Noted the state of play of the so-called
"SISone4all" project (REFTEL) designed to
extend the current first-Generation Schengen
Information System (SIS1+). The project will
allow for the lifting of the EU internal
borders with the countries that joined the EU
in 2004. Portugal, which initiated this
project, indicated it was running well and on
time;

-- Reviewed the global rescheduling of the
Schengen Information System II (SISII).
Commission Vice-President Frattini told a press
conference SISII was facing a six-month delay,
implying it would be operational by mid-
December 2008.

MISCELLANEOUS
--------------


7. Among other issues:

-- Vice-President Frattini drew attention to the
increasing number of Moldovan citizens applying
for Romanian passports;

-- The Council noted two reports concerning
trafficking in human beings in connection to
the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The reports are
available from the Council website:
http://register.consilium.europa.eu.

GRAY