Est. 1min 09-02-2001 (updated: 07-11-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Support for UK proposals to increase cooperation on common asylum policy during Stockholm JHA meeting Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters BackgroundMinisters of Justice and Home Affairs started their two-day informal working meeting in Stockholm with a progress evaluation of the Tampere process. At the Tampere Summit in 1999, the EU decided to create an area of freedom, security and justice. Although no formal decisions are taken during this meeting, ministers expressed theirsupport for UK proposalsto increase cooperation on a common asylum policy and to intensify the fight against human trafficking. Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Maj-Inger Klingvall on the other hand underlined that fears of a "fortress Europe" are exaggerated. "Today's discussion has confirmed what we said in Tampere about the goal being to develop a common European asylum system. It should be characterised by solidarity and the full application of the Geneva Convention", said Ms. Klingvall. Asylum policy will also be on the agenda of theAnglo-French summitheld in Cahors in France. UK Prime Minister Blair will be meeting French President Chirac and Prime Minister Jospin and discuss ideas to set up a cross-Channel commission to co-ordinate measures to stop human trafficking by rail and ferry crossings.
