On 9 November 2020 the European Commission's Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, joined the German Federal Minister of Interior for an informal, virtual ministerial dialogue on integration and inclusion. The dialogue was held just ahead of the upcoming publication of the Action Plan on integration and inclusion, due on 24 November 2020.

This informal meeting provided opportunity for discussion on the function of integration policies within within wider efforts to build resilient, cohesive societies and to better foster social inclusion. Focus was centred on the question of how to create lasting conditions to enable every migrant to participate more quickly - and at an equal level - in the society, economy and culture of their host state.

Member State representatives present at the meeting exchanged ideas and opinions on the following:

• the prioritisation of various issues within future EU integration and inclusion policies;
• the role of EU funds in supporting national efforts on integration and inclusion;
• the role of multi-stakeholder partnerships in integration processes.

Commissioner Johansson said:

'Integration and inclusion of newcomers is a cornerstone of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Everyone with the right to stay in the EU can and should be supported to fully participate in our societies. To address current barriers to integration we need the support and commitment of all actors concerned: governments, local authorities and host communities, social and economic partners, civil society, and migrants themselves. The new Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion will support these efforts and contribute to the long-term prosperity and cohesion of European society'.