30.09.2004 - 01.10.2004
Scheveningen, The Netherlands
 The informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA Council) took place in Scheveningen on 30 September and 1 October 2004. Although no formal decisions are taken at such informal meetings, the ministers reached political agreement in an array of areas on the direction of the future development of the multi-annual programme (“The Hague Programme”). The objective of the meeting was to lay down the multi-annual programme for the areas of freedom, security, and justice in the EU at the European Council of heads of government and state on 4 and 5 November. Topics on the agenda of the multi-annual programme will include the fight against terrorism, security, co-operation in civil law, immigration, borders, and asylum.Among the asylum and immigration issues, the humanitarian situation of people who are brought to Europe by human smugglers under appalling conditions, a common asylum policy, and an effective return policy which can discourage illegal immigration were discussed. It was stressed at the meeting the necessity to find short-term solutions, but also to achieve lasting long-term solutions. German Interior Minister Otto Schily, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers, and Commissioner Antonio Vitorino gave the initial impetus to this. The necessity for the creation of a common European asylum policy was emphasised. Partnerships with third countries are indispensable for a successful immigration policy. These are not restricted to partnerships in terms of asylum and immigration, but also other areas such as developmental aid, economic co-operation, trade policy, and human rights policy. Further issues of discussions included the European Agency for the Management of Operational Co-operation at the External Borders, a fast reaction force consisting of national experts to provide assistance at the external borders, and a common visa policy. | 
