Brussels, 21/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - Next Tuesday in Luxembourg, the Justice and Home Affairs is expected to confirm the agreement at Coreper last week on including bio-metric data, facial imaging and digital finger printing in European passports. In June, the Council arrived at a political agreement for photos to be compulsory but fingerprints should be the choice of Member States. Germany, France, Italy, Slovenia, Poland and Malta have put pressure on for these two facets of identification to be included in the electronic chip in all European passports. Other Member States still have to be convinced about the additional time given for adding digital prints, reported a European source. The electronic chip in the photo could be added to passports in 18 months time, the prints within a deadline that still needs to be agreed upon (24-36 months). Discussion on bio-metric passports will take place at the Mixed Committee: Member States, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland for the first time.
Maritime pollution: this framework decision was due to complete in the penal context, the directive on which the Transport Council obtained a common position at the beginning of October (EUROPE 12 October and 12 June). Greece, Cyprus and Malta are sticking to their positions, asserting that the proposed provisions contravened international conventions on maritime pollution (MARPOL) and law at sea (UNCLOS). "After the Prestige, public opinion wants decision", underlined the presidency.
Terrorism: The Presidency is to present an assessment of the measures taken by Member States to counter terrorism. The Council will take stock of progress made in implementing counter-terrorism decisions adopted since 11 September 2001 (EUROPE of 9 October, p.4). Commissioner Vitorino will present the Commission's proposals to strengthen cooperation against terrorism (yesterday's EUROPE, p.10).
Illegal immigration: The Council is to discuss negotiation of re-entry agreements which is making painfully slow progress, in order to prepare adoption of conclusions by the General Affairs Council of 2 and 3 November. In these conclusions, the Council is to indicate that, on a case by case basis, a direct link should be established between the negotiation of the cooperation or association agreements and that of re-entry agreements, in short sanctioning or rewarding third countries depending on their degree of cooperation on illegal immigration. The conclusions should maintain the aim of including in the re-entry agreements all third country nationals intercepted in an unlawful situation, but also persons who have gone through these countries before entering the EU.
Asylum: Conclusions will be adopted, without debate, on procedures for examining asylum requests. The Council will give its agreement for launching a preparatory phase (consultation, debate) for the setting in place, in time, of a single examination procedure for protection requests, when it concerns the refugee status or forms of alternative protection, while European texts make a clear distinction between the two statuses. The Council will call on the Commission to submit a proposal to it by the end of the year.
Integration of immigrants: First debate on the basis of Presidency proposal.
Russia: There will be much discussion at the Troika of negotiations under way on re-entry and visas. The European Union expects Russia to agree to allow re-entry onto its territory of its nationals intercepted in an unlawful situation on Community territory, but also persons who have gone through Russia before entering the EU. Russia above all calls for facilitated visa procedures. Terrorism is also expected to be on the agenda (see p.7).