Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security is part of Cluster 1 – Fundamentals, and negotiations for this chapter are open. Its objective is to support and further develop the European Union as an area of freedom, security and justice. The chapter requires the strengthening of administrative capacities and inter-institutional cooperation, particularly among law enforcement agencies and other relevant institutions, in line with EU standards. A professional, efficient and trustworthy police force is an important element of this chapter. A particularly important component concerns the Schengen acquis, which aims at the removal of internal border controls and the free movement of persons within the Schengen area.
The main issues covered by this chapter include:
- the fight against corruption;
- the fight against terrorism;
- cooperation in the field of drugs;
- legal and irregular migration;
- asylum;
- border management and the Schengen acquis;
- judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters.
The main priorities and challenges include strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, improving border management and the asylum system, combating organised crime and terrorism, as well as strengthening cooperation with Europol and other relevant EU agencies.
