Policy paper

Joint statement on enhancing cooperation in the field of internal security, migration and transnational crime

Published 7 November 2023

Joint statement between the Federal Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Austria and the Home Department of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on enhancing cooperation in the field of internal security, migration, and transnational crime.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Austria and the Home Department of the United Kingdom hereinafter referred to as “the Participants”:

Acknowledging the existing friendly relations between the Participants,

Acting in the spirit of partnership and cooperation,

Committed to upholding and promoting the highest standards of the rule of law and human rights, both nationally and internationally,

Determined to further support and develop international cooperation in areas of shared interest,

Recognising the need to strengthen international cooperation at all levels in combating transnational crime and ensuring public security, and committed to maintaining border control and security;   

Acknowledging that migration can only be managed in partnership, with joint strategies and actions, between the Participants and the countries of origin and transit, through a comprehensive approach covering all aspects of migration to achieve a balanced, coherent, and effective migration management approach,

Building on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the one part, and the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community of the other part (UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement) by enhancing our close partnership and reaffirming our commitment to jointly work on the priority areas identified, express their desire for closer cooperation in the field of internal security, as well as all areas of migration and transnational crime, focusing on:

• Security and law enforcement: The Participants envisage increased activities, and enhanced cooperation, as appropriate, in combatting serious and organised crime, including human smuggling, money laundering, cybercrime, fraud and economic crime, corruption, forgery and trafficking of documents, sexual exploitation and abuse of children, and human trafficking. The Participants will explore strengthening bilateral law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation, including exploring strengthening law enforcement information exchange via INTERPOL. The hosting of INTERPOL’s annual General Assembly by Austria in 2023 and the UK in 2024 demonstrates our joint commitment to the global fight against transnational serious and organised crime. We support and celebrate the central role INTERPOL plays in law enforcement cooperation between our nations in its centenary year and endorse INTERPOL’s mission of delivering a safer world for all of its members.

• Counter-terrorism: The Participants will explore ways to enhance and intensify their security dialogue with a focus: on cyber security, hybrid threats, countering incitement, preventing online radicalisation by tackling the availability and accessibility of terrorist content online, prevention, de-radicalisation, and counter-terrorism.

• International criminal investigations: The Participants will enhance support for each other in international criminal investigations by making full use of operational capabilities agreed under Part Three of the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement.

• Migration: The Participants will engage in joint dialogue on shared migration challenges, with a view to strengthening cooperation and activity, including with relevant third countries of origin and transit, to deliver solutions in the field of migration management, with a particular focus on tackling irregular migration and addressing organised immigration crime.

• Noting the need for a global response to a global issue, the Participants will also work together, and alongside like-minded partners, to support and advocate for increased engagement on innovative solutions to this issue in multilateral fora. This will include, where possible, the convening of round table discussions with like-minded partners, focusing on the challenges of irregular migration and related transnational crime.

• The Participants will explore the principles of safe third country concepts aiming to enhance regional migration management along a whole-of-route approach, foster protection capacities in the region and seek new solutions to mitigate the pressure of mixed migratory movements towards destination countries such as the Participants’. The UK expresses its willingness to share its knowledge in seeking third country asylum partnerships.

The Participants acknowledge that this joint statement does not constitute or create, and is not intended to constitute or create, any rights or obligations binding under national or international law, nor does it impose any financial obligations on the Participants. This joint statement will not alter or affect any agreements between the Participants, but will work to enhance cooperation within existing frameworks. This joint statement is without prejudice to the Republic of Austria’s obligations stemming from its EU membership.

This joint statement will take effect on the date of signature. This joint statement may be amended at any time with the mutual consent of the Participants. Amendments will take effect on the date of signature. Either Participant may cancel this joint statement by written notification. Such notification will become effective six months after its receipt by the other Participant.

Signed in Vienna, on 2 October 2023, in two copies in English language.

For the Federal Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Austria.

For the Home Department of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.