Home affairs ministers will discuss the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the field of internal border controls and the free movement of persons.

As the overall health situation improves, all member states are in the process of de-escalating and gradually lifting some of the measures that have been applied at national or regional level. This includes the gradual lifting of border controls and the full restoration of the free movement of persons which has been limited due to the pandemic.

In light of this, member states will discuss how restrictions on free movement and internal border controls can be lifted in a coordinated, non-discriminatory and proportionate way and will be invited to share their expected timelines for the lifting of internal border controls once the health situation in the country allows for it.

Member states will also discuss how long the EU travel restrictions with regard to the entry of third country nationals should be maintained and what criteria and measures could be applied once the restrictions start to be lifted.

Under any other business, ministers will be informed of the state of play on current legislative proposals. The Presidency will also report on the EU-US Justice and Home Affairs ministerial videoconference, which took place on 28 May. The incoming German Presidency will also present its work programme.

The Commission will inform ministers in writing of the ongoing implementation of the interoperability regulations.