In spring 2024, the institutions of the European Union approved the new Pact on Migration and Asylum , which provides Member States with a strong legal basis for the comprehensive and integrated management of migration. The reform establishes a unified EU asylum and migration management system, enabling Member States to move together toward long-term and sustainable solutions. Negotiations on the draft legislation of the Pact had been ongoing since 2016, and the period has now begun in which Member States must prepare for the implementation of the legislative acts in 2026.
In this context, EMN Estonia, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, will organise an introductory event for the Pact on Migration and Asylum on 1 October 2024. The aim of the event is to provide an overview of the most important outcomes of the Pact and the key changes in Estonian and European Union practice. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion on the topic of “Balance Achieved in Eight Years.” At the end of the event, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in the discussion.
The event will take place at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences (Kase 61, Tallinn), but it will also be possible to follow it online.
NB: Participation in the afternoon panel discussion is possible only in person.
Event recording:
10:00-10:30 Morning coffee
10:30-10:35 Moderator’s opening remarks
10:35-10:50 Opening remarks by the European Commission – Esther Pozo Vera (video)
10:50-11:10 Presentation by the Representation of the European Commission in Estonia – Ave Schank-Lukas
11:10-11:30 The New Pact on Migration and Asylum – Joosep Kaasik (Ministry of the Interior)
11:30-12:30 Panel discussion “Balance Achieved in Eight Years”
Presentation by the member of the European Parliament – Marina Kaljurand (video)
Participants in the discussion are Egert Belitšev (Police and Border Guard Board), Birgit Lüüs-Jakobs (Government Office), Maarjo Mändmaa (Ministry of Social Affairs), and Olga Sõtnik (UNHCR).
12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-3:00 Thematic discussions (there will be no live stream)
- Eurodac – presentation by Ave Poom (eu-LISA)
- Border procedure – presentation by Liis Valk (Police and Border Guard Board)
- Solidarity mechanism – presentation by Birgit Lüüs-Jakobs (Government Office)
The day will be moderated by Evelyn Kaldoja.
- Opening remarks by the European Commission – Esther Pozo Vera (video)
- Presentation by the European Commission Representation in Estonia – Ave Schank-Lukas
- The New Migration and Asylum Pact – Joosep Kaasik (Ministry of Interior)
- Video from a Member of the European Parliament – Marina Kaljurand
- Eurodac – Ave Poom (eu-LISA)
- Border procedure – Liis Valk (Police and Border Guard Board)
- EU Migration and Asylum Pact – Solidarity – Birgit Lüüs-Jakobs (Government Office)