Brussels, 08/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The nationals of third countries and their families who reside legally in a member state of the EU and travel to another member state will have the same rights as European citizens as regards social security, in line with the new regulation adopted by the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday 7 October.
European citizens who live legally in a member state other than their own and who are in a cross-border situation already have access to social security, in line with Regulation 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems and Regulation (EC) no. 987/2009, which lays down the terms for Regulation 883/2004 on the coordination of the social security systems. The new rules adopted on Thursday extend these provisions to nationals of third countries residing legally on the territory of a member state. The Parliament made no amendments to this legislation, in order to guarantee its swift implementation.
Unfortunately, Denmark will not be party to the coordination provisions for third-country nationals. Ireland chose to take part, but the UK, to the great disappointment of British rapporteur Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA), will not join up and will therefore continue to apply the existing rules. In the view of Jean Lambert, this is a step backwards from the objective of simplifying procedures, even though this is a vital component of Regulation 883/2004 and of the principle of equal treatment. (G.B./transl.fl)