Brussels, 20/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 20 April, the European Commission unveiled new measures for the period from 2010 to 2014 to enhance citizens' security and data protection, safeguard the rights of accused persons and increase cooperation on immigration and asylum. This action plan follows on from December's adoption by EU leaders of the Stockholm programme which seeks to create a European freedom, security and justice area within five years. The main points of the action plan are:
In the area of justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, the plan provides for: - presentation in June of a negotiating mandate on an EU-United States data protection agreement; the 1995 European directive on data protection will be updated by the end of the year to take account of new technological challenges; - enhancing the rights of persons accused in criminal proceedings so that there can be a fair trial (see EUROPE 10094); - easing the administrative procedures for citizens and companies by guaranteeing cross-border recognition of legal decisions and official records relating to civil status (legislative proposal in 2013); - simplification of cross-border debt recovery and alternative dispute settlement procedures (proposal in 2010); - proposal in 2010 on harmonising legal differences on matrimonial property; - promoting online trade by providing companies with European contract legislation, which may be applied voluntarily (communication in 2010); - enhancing protection for citizens travelling in the EU outside their country of origin when they book a package holiday or put in a claim after a traffic accident (proposal in 2011); for journeys outside the EU, citizens will have better consular protection (proposals in 2011); - presentation of a legislative proposal in 2011 on creating a European protection order for victims of violence, particularly violence against women; a proposal will also be made in 2011 on enhancing victims rights before the courts; - the Commission will propose a regulation in 2012 on a European emergency telephone line for missing children; - a proposal to give Eurojust the power directly to launch investigations and improve the agency's operation and monitoring of it (proposal in 2012). A communication on putting in place a European Public Prosecutor's Office will be launched in 2013.
In Home Affairs, the plan provides for: - definition of a comprehensive security strategy to improve cooperation in law enforcement and civil protection and to manage disasters and borders (communication in 2010); - negotiation this year of the Swift agreement (see EUROPE 10121); - legislative proposal in 2010 on a European PNR and the creation of a European framework for the communication of PNR data to third countries (communication in 2010); - protection of European citizens from cybercrime by making identity theft a crime (legislative proposal in 2012) and the use of software to attack information systems (legislative proposals in 2010), and enhancement of border security by putting in place an entry-exit system (proposal in 2011); - assessment and, if necessary, amendment of the directive on data retention (2010-2012); - clarification of conditions of entry and residence for third country nationals for the purposes of seasonal employment and temporary transfers of staff with in the same company (proposals by summer 2010); - a communication on unaccompanied minors (May 2010); - introducing joint processing of asylum requests and encouraging solidarity among member states (communication in 2014). The action plan is expected to be endorsed by the EU Council and the European Parliament. (B.C./transl.rt)