EU – Baltic States, Internet, Legislation, Lithuania, Security, Technology

Alfonsas Barakauskas. Photo: vrm.lt

During the informal meeting on the 18th of July in Vilnius, the European Union (EU) Justice and Home Affairs Ministers paid most attention to the issues of cyber security issues.

„Along with the speedy growth of information technologies, the risk that cyber attacks can disturb the critical infrastructure: to cut off the supply of electricity or water, to disturb functioning of transport nets, to paralyse the work of financial sector increases. Thus, adequately, the resources for security of the data and network should be increased. Saving on cyber security, we risk the security and welfare of the Europeans“,- stated the Minister of Home Affairs of Lithuania Dailis Alfonsas Barakauskas, who chaired the meeting.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that the cooperation of all the government institutions related to ensuring the cyber security is necessary. None the less it is important to coordinate the actions also on the international level, cooperating with the strategic partners as well.

It was also discussed on how the prevention of the fight against crimes in the cyberspace could be strengthened. As the recent survey of „Eurobarometer“ carried out by the European Commission showed, even one fourth or the EU countries‘ population fear for the security while shopping online and for possible illegal using of their personal data. More than one tenth of the European citizens have already become victims of online fraud, and 8% – victims of thefts of their personal data.

In accordance with the opinions of the Member States, the group of friends of the Lithuanian Presidency for cyber security questions formed from the experts delegated from all the EU states, will formulate and submit suggestions on the means how to implement the strategy of the EU cyber security.

The ministers also discussed the issues of migration, security of refugees from Syria and perspectives of the development of justice and home affairs area.

During the meeting, the 4th Annual European Commission’s Report on Immigration and Asylum was presented in which the EU achievements in the area of immigration and asylum are reviewed and the further guidelines of the EU migration policy formation are discussed.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres reviewed the current situation in Syria. According to him, the refugees raise especially great concerns to the neighbouring countries – Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, but the increased flows of refugees are felt in the EU Member States too, so they should pay even more attention to the destiny of refugees. A. Guterres saluted the decision of Germany to admit about 5000 refugees to their territory and to provide temporary asylum for them. The ministers discussed on the actions – with the view of the humanitarian assistance already rendered – the Member States could take domestically, so that the Syrian citizens stying in the EU would not forced to return to the conflict centre.

The second part of the session was dedicated to the discussions on the perspectives of the development of the justice and home affairs area. In 2014 the third multi-annual justice and home affairs area programme, otherwise known as the Stockholm programme, ends. This strategic document sets the EU priorities in the areas of freedom, security and justice, on the implementation of which Member States have agreed. On 24 June 2013, the European Council (EC) obliged all EU Member States future EU Presidencies of the Council till 2014, to start discussions on the basis of which the EC will develop further priorities of freedom, security and justice area for the post-2014 period.

Considering the future development of the justice and home affairs active cooperation is waiting with the TRIO partners, the European Commission and Parliament.

On the 19th of July, the ministers of Justice of the EU states will gather to an informal meeting.