The meeting started with the Schengen Council. The ministers reviewed the overall situation in the Schengen area and the current migration situation and its impact on the EU's external borders. The ministers approved a number of specific recommendations proposed by the Czech presidency and committed themselves to their implementation. "Our goal is to reduce the influx of illegal migrant and to prevent the activities of smuggling structures that capitalise on the situation and the migrants themselves," Interior Minister Vít Rakušan said in his opening remarks. Among other things, the ministers agreed on conclusions on the European Integrated Border Management in the framework of the Schengen Council. This should help to better prepare for future challenges.

Ministers also discussed the situation along the Western Balkans migration route. This is now the main route for irregular migration to the EU. The increase in irregular migration is mainly due to the different visa rules for third-country nationals set by a number of Western Balkan countries. "We have agreed with EU ministers on concrete measures that we will be implementing in the coming weeks. In particular, we will continue to put maximum diplomatic pressure on the Western Balkan countries to align their liberal visa policies with the EU. If the situation does not improve, we must consider more decisive action," Vít Rakušan said.

The next item on the agenda was an assessment of the current situation of refugees from Ukraine and the impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine on the EU's internal security. Within the EU, strong support for those fleeing the war remains. One of the main themes of the Czech Presidency is the Union's preparedness for further developments. Ministers supported these comprehensive efforts of the Czech Presidency.

Finally, ministers discussed the reform of EU asylum and migration policy. The ministers appreciated the work of the Czech Presidency on the reform so far, acknowledging that negotiations would continue.