Good afternoon. This was our first meeting under the Danish Presidency. I want to thank Minister Hummelgaard for launching the ambitious program for justice with today’s important topics. We discussed simplification and the GDPR, combatting organized crime, and protecting children against violence.

The Commission and the Danish Presidency share the priorities of simplification and competitiveness. The Commission is working to reduce regulatory burdens while upholding our sustainability and net zero goals. In May, we proposed a targeted simplification of the record-keeping obligation in the GDPR to lessen the administrative burden on SMEs, small mid-caps, and organizations with fewer than 750 employees. We welcome the Presidencys ambition to finalize negotiations with the European Parliament on this proposal. In June, we concluded negotiations on the GDPR Procedural Rules Regulation, facilitating smoother enforcement of the largest and most complex cases. Just a week ago, I held an Implementation Dialogue on the GDPR, where I gathered feedback from across business and civil society on how to enhance its application. We are analyzing the received feedback and will continue to consider the best way to address the concerns raised.

Next, we focused on the urgent issue of combatting organized crime. I thank the Danish Presidency for ensuring this matter remains a high priority. Organized crime groups and networks pose persistent and evolving threats to our internal security and our open and free societies. In the ProtectEU Strategy launched in April, the Commission proposed new rules for combatting criminal organizations, updating the legal framework. To disrupt trafficking routes and business models, the Commission will propose a new EU Drugs Strategy alongside a European Action Plan against drug trafficking. Where we deal with criminal organizations structured around a family or clan, I stressed the importance of prevention and of providing support to family members who may require specific protection. We are also working to strengthen our judicial cooperation with partners worldwide, particularly by concluding international agreements. In these endeavors, we welcome the crucial support that Eurojust provides to the European Judicial Organized Crime Network established last year. Given the critical roles played by Eurojust, as well as the EPPO and Europol, the Commission is considering how best to enhance the EUs internal security and anti-fraud architecture and make it more coherent through the upcoming revisions of their respective regulations.

During our working lunch, we focused on the urgent and important issue of protecting children against violence. These discussions provided a welcome opportunity to reaffirm the EUs unwavering commitment to protecting children from all forms of violence. No form of violence against children—whether physical or psychological—can be tolerated. EU law protects children in numerous ways. Therefore, I reaffirmed today the importance of Member States fully and correctly implementing and applying all EU instruments on child-friendly justice, such as the Directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence adopted last year, the Childrens Rights Directive, and the Victims Rights Directive.

I also encouraged Member States to reach agreement on the revision of the Victims Rights Directive to improve access to targeted and integrated services for child victims. Online threats are increasing the risk of child exploitation.

While negotiations on a recast of the Child Sexual Abuse Directive are ongoing, the Commission welcomes the efforts of the Danish Presidency to find a compromise on the proposal for a Regulation on rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse before the expiry of the Interim Regulation in April next year. The Commission is also undertaking additional measures to better protect children online, such as by piloting a blueprint for an EU-wide age verification solution, launched last week, and next year, I intend to propose a Digital Fairness Act to fill the gaps in consumer protection online, with a special focus on the protection of minors. Looking ahead, as announced in the ProtectEU Strategy, the Commission will present an Action Plan on the Protection of Children Against Crime—with both online and offline dimensions. Every child deserves to grow up safely, be treated with respect, and live free from fear. Together, we are working to make this vision a reality for all children across our Union.

Thank you for your attention, I look forward to answering your questions.