Informal videoconference of the members of Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum (SCIFA) 13 October 2020 (Berlin, 10.00 - 13.00) AIDE MEMOIRE Welcome MS, COMIX countries and EASO, FRONTEX and eu-LISA to the informal videoconference. 1 1.   New Pact on Migration and Asylum (10.00 - 13.00) –     Presentation by the Commission =     Questions =     Way forward under German Presidency (doc. 11186/20 + ADD 1; 11213/20 + ADD 1 +ADD 1COR 1 + ADD 2; 11202/20; 11224/20 + ADD 1; 11207/20; 11205/20 + ADD 1) Objective      To enable the Commission to present in more detail the new Pact, focusing on the four main topics identified in advance.      Give an opportunity to Member States to present their initial views and listen to explanations on the most important and recurring questions from delegations.      To clarify the further handling of the Pact in next SCIFA meetings (and beyond). Handling      Brief outline of the item by the Presidency;      Give the floor to the Commission;      Invite delegations to share their initial views. Speaking points      Following the tabling of the Pact on 23 September and its presentation to Ministers on 8 October, this will be the first opportunity for SCIFA delegations to discuss the new Pact. 1      Exceptionally, in the presence of the Schengen Associated States 1

      At the last meeting, we have invited you to submit your preliminary questions on the Pact. We have received contributions from 23 delegations, for which we are thankful.       It is clear we will not be able to address all questions in one meeting. However, there have been some issues which have come up quite often, and we would like to focus on these today. You have received our Flash where four key topics have been identified.       The Commission has kindly agreed, in addition to providing general explanations of some of the main aspects of the Pact, to also cover these questions in their intervention.       You have also received a compilation of all the contributions, set out in WK 10781/20.       In addition, there have been many other questions, some very technical, which will be dealt with by the respective preparatory bodies of the Council. As you know, the first discussions start already tomorrow, at the videoconference of the members of the Asylum Working Party.       I will now turn to the Commission to provide explanations on the most important aspects of the Pact. Michael, you have the floor. [floor to COM]      Thank you very much Michael. I will now turn to delegations and invite them to share their views. [floor to delegations] Possible conclusions       Thanks to the Commission and to delegations on this extremely important topic.        This was the initial exchange of views. We will continue dealing with the main aspects of the Pact, as identified by the Ministers during their debate on 8 October, here in SCIFA. (more detailed explanation of further plans)                                 2

     In parallel, as also agreed by the Ministers, negotiations will start tomorrow in the Asylum Working Party, followed by the Working Party on Frontiers and also at JHA Counsellors level, to take the work forward. [details?]      Our plans are ambitious but we need to proceed quickly if we want to make progress. The Presidency counts on all of you as only together we can be successful. 2 2.   AOB (13.00 - 13.15) –     Migration Preparedness and Crisis Blueprint (introduction and way forward) =      Exchange of views C(2020) 6469 final Objective      Briefly provide information to Member States on the Recommendation on an EU mechanism for preparedness and management of crisis related to migration      Inform Member States that a thorough discussion will take place in the JHA counsellors meeting on the migration situation on 20 October Handling      No particular difficulties foreseen.      Short introduction and way forward by the Presidency      Presentation by the Commission      The floor may then go to Member States and agencies, if asked but no discussion is intended. 2      Exceptionally, in the presence of the Schengen Associated States 3

Speaking points     Dear colleagues, under AOB we would like to briefly touch upon the Recommendation on an EU mechanism for preparedness and management of crisis related to migration, in short the 'Blueprint'.     We wish to inform you that the recommendation will be discussed at technical level in the relevant format which is the JHA counsellors on the migration situation. The next meeting is on 20 October.     We believe that the timing is right for considering this recommendation in the light of the IPCR mechanism which has been in full activation mode since 2015.     With the Blueprint we would be able to carry out close monitoring of the migratory situation which in our view does not warrant the IPCR mechanism being activated. Let us not forget that currently irregular arrivals across the Mediterranean Sea is 90% below the 2015-level. What is of the essence is that we keep the level of information and situational awareness that we have now so that we can react quickly in case of need.     Today, we will only hear a short presentation now by the Commission, followed by a discussion among JHA counsellors on 20 October and then we will revert to the subject in [SCIFA/Coreper] in due course.     I will now invite the Commission to share its presentation of the Blueprint. [floor to the Commission]     Thank you very much Pawel for your presentation. Any Member States who wish to come in at this stage? [floor to delegations] Possible conclusions     Thank you very much to the Commission for the presentation [and your remarks]. [Final remarks on the planning of next meetings on 21 and 22 October, morning only and agenda] Thank you! _______________________ 4