A first assessment of the strategic guidelines of the EU Council for the planning in the area of freedom, security and justice. After the programmes of The Hague and Stockholm, the new guidelines are important for the development of the Immigration and Asylum policies of the EU.

At a press conference today in Strasbourg, Cecilia Malmström underlined the important steps taken based on the Stockholm program but said that work was not over and that efforts should be stepped up in certain areas.

Following the period of consultation from 29 October 2013 to 21 January 2014, the Commission has made collected opinions available with a view to contribute to the new agenda for Home Affairs.