Brussels, 20/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - More than 150 European Justice and Home Affairs experts met on 19-20 October in Brussels on the initiative of the Commission to elaborate a new mechanism for carrying out an overall assessment of this domain in 2007. On Thursday the Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, Franco Frattini pointed out in a press release that, “assessment is a key element for the adoption of policies based on facts and the increased responsibilities of decision makers”. This exercise is an integral part of the Commission's communication published on 28 June (EUROPE 9221). The conference, which brings together representatives from Member States, local authorities, European institutions, academia, NGOs and the private sector, is preparing ministerial discussions for the next Justice and Home Affairs Council on 4-5 December 2006. The Commission will be launching at the beginning of next year the first overall evaluation of Union policies regarding freedom, security and justice. The first evaluation report is expected at the end of 2007. (bc)