Luxembourg, 16/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - At their meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 15 June, European Union justice ministers adopted their position on the draft regulation allowing the circulation of public documents in the EU.
The general approach approved by ministers covers only documents that relate to the personal situation of individuals, such as marriage, partnership or birth certificates, as most delegations wanted.
Behind this regulation lies the desire to further facilitate freedom of movement for European citizens and to make life easier for citizens who will no longer have to have these documents formalised in their country of origin or be required to have them apostilled. The ministerial agreement also retains the external competence member states which will be able to continue to make bilateral agreements with other countries. This has been particularly welcomed by France. The general approach paves the way for the opening of negotiations with the European Parliament. (Solenn Paulic)