Brussels, 06/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday the JHA Council did not succeed in pushing forward the discussion on the harmonisation of procedures for examining requests for asylum. Italian Minister Giussepe Pisanu deplored the fact that, "unfortunately, there are still a multitude of positions" on the two points mentioned - safe third countries and procedures for border derogations. Commissioner Vitorino outlined that for safe third countries, there was divergence on both the concept itself and "added value", as well as on a possible common European list. The Council has given a mandate to technical groups to continue discussions. Asked about the severe criticism made by Amnesty International on this text, Mr Pisanu replied, "it will be difficult to respond to significant attacks by organisations such as Amnesty" because "international policy is not the kind of area where things are desirable but an area where things get done". Mr Vitorino insisted that a balance between protection and preventing abuse of the asylum system was needed. According to Vitorino Amnesty should look at this second issue because those how have a right to asylum are the first victims. There was, nevertheless, progress on the issue of border procedures in the sense sought by those who wanted derogations, indicated a diplomatic source (EUROPE yesterday pp 14 and 15).