Brussels, 14/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Friday the European Commission presented a proposed framework decision targeting the creation of a European evidence warrant. This warrant, which applies the principle of mutual recognition to obtaining certain types of evidence for use in criminal proceedings, would be a decision issued by a legal authority in a member state or directly recognised and executed in another member state. It would replace the existing mutual assistance procedures, allowing for the acceleration of procedures and providing clear guarantees in terms of issuing and enforcement. The Commission proposal could only be adopted by unanimity within the Council, after consultation with the European Parliament. EUROPE will return to this issue in detail.