“We are potentially direct targets for terrorist organisations.”

type:
News

, Topic:
Security

, Date:
04 October 2024

Meeting of G7 interior ministers to discuss the current security and migration situation.

Source:
Laurin Schmid

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser travelled to Mirabella Eclano, Italy, for the G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ Meeting, which took place from 2 to 4 October 2024. The G7 interior and security ministers discussed the current security situation in view of ongoing wars and threats from extremism.

In a Communiqué, the ministers condemned all forms of terrorism and violent extremism and stressed the need to work together to combat the financing of terrorism and the spread of violent ideologies and extremist propaganda.

Other topics discussed were cyber security and combating drug crime. The meeting also focused on current migration policy, in particular how to combat human smuggling.

Fighting extremism together

quote:

“The G7 countries are still potential targets for terrorist organisations, especially the Islamic State group. Not only are our countries themselves affected, but our interests and institutions around the world.”

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser

The conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have had a tangible impact on the world. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the current level of threat from extremism in Germany was very high: “In response to the Islamist terror attack in Solingen, the Federal Government has adopted a security package that includes stricter weapons regulations, greater powers for our security authorities, and stricter residency rules.” Other topics discussed at the first session of the G7 meeting were the rise of antisemitism, and disinformation campaigns by Russia. The partners stressed the need to cooperate more closely.

“We have set up an early-detection unit that can identify Russian disinformation with the aid of technology,” said Minister Faeser, urging closer cooperation on combating disinformation.

At the margins of the conference, Minister Faeser also held bilateral talks with her British counterpart Yvette Cooper and France’s new interior minister Bruno Retailleau, among others. The two-day conference was also attended by representatives of international organisations (Interpol, UNHCR, UNODC) and the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson.

: G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ Meeting in Mirabella Eclano, Italy, 2–4 October 2024 …

G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ Meeting in Mirabella Eclano, Italy, 2–4 October 2024

Source:
Laurin Schmid

A focus of the conference was the fight against trafficking in human beings

The human smuggling business determines to a great extent the number of irregular arrivals in Germany and the EU. This topic was a focus of the final meeting on Friday.

According to Federal Police information, smuggling currently accounts for one of every four people entering Germany illegally.

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stressed that cross-border crime such as migrant smuggling could only be tackled successfully by taking a cross-border approach. Germany participates in several EU projects and actively uses a number of financial instruments provided by the European Commission to promote strategic and operational cooperation with third countries.

But at national level, too, action has been taken in the course of the last year. For example, the Federal Police operations centre to analyse migrant smuggling was established.

Furthermore, in early September, Minister Faeser ordered the temporary reintroduction of border control at all of Germany’s land borders. As a result, since 16 September it has been possible to refuse entry to people at Germany’s land borders in accordance with European and national law.

“We will continue to pursue this course. Until the new Common European Asylum System ensures strong protection for the EU’s external borders, we must also do more to control our national borders”, said Federal Minister Faeser.

Italy currently holds the G7 Presidency

On 1 January 2024, Italy took on the G7 Presidency for the seventh time. The G7 countries are Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The G7, of which the European Union is also a member, is united by common values and principles. It plays an invaluable role in defending freedom and democracy and in addressing global challenges. The G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ meeting was chaired by Italy’s Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi.