Brussels, 11/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - Last week in Brussels, the European Parliament adopted at third reading (co-decision) the report by British Conservative Jacqueline Foster on the joint text approved by the conciliation committee with a view to the regulation relating to the establishment of common rules in the field of civil aviation security, during the EP plenary session in Brussels last week. The regulation should then be formally adopted during a forthcoming Council.
The provisions of the agreement reached in conciliation procedure were the following: (1) the Council recognises that public financing is justified, but without, however, being compelled to pledge it will finance further security measures; (2) on the spot inspections will be organised in airports as soon as the regulation takes effect; and (3) controls on the staff, passengers and luggage will be stepped up in all airport areas from 1 July 2004 (see EUROPE of 1 November, p.11).