Luxembourg, 06/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the Justice Ministers, as predicted, reached a political agreement on the proposal for a regulation on parental responsibility. They thus completed the agreement reached in November last on the controversial issue of the court that has power to rule on the kidnapping of a child by one of the parents or those having custody of the child (EUROPE of 30 November, 2002, p.7). Greek Justice Minister Philipos Petsalnikos welcomed the agreement that "enlarges the common judiciary area, with the welfare of the child as its first concern". Nonetheless, there are several technical points and legal points to be settled, mainly the 1996 report with the International Court in The Hague and the Brussels II regulation, which more or less covers the same subject. The Council called on the relevant working group to settle the last questions by October, so that the latter may be formally adopted by then. France managed to have the Fifteen agree that the regulation should be applicable on 1 July 2004 but, finally, at the request of the United Kingdom, the Fifteen added the phrase "if possible".
Implementation of confiscation orders. The Presidency announced an agreement on the list of offences for which confiscation orders are recognised without verification of double incrimination, a list which is the same as that for the European arrest warrant, Mr Petsalnikos was pleased to note (EUROPE of 5 June p.13).
Instrument for enforcement for unchallenged claims: After many interventions, the ministers reached an agreement on several guidelines for ongoing discussions on this proposal presented by the Commission one year ago (EUROPE of 20 April 2002).
Unchallenged claims: Ministers held a policy debate.