Brussels, 09/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - A first assessment report on European policies in the field of justice is due to be presented in June this year, Vice-President of the European Commission Franco Frattini announced on Monday as the Cour de Cassation in Paris opened for its first session this year. The report is to be presented in the form of a communication, Frattini said. This will follow the communication already presented in June 2006 to assess the area of freedom, security and justice (EUROPE 9221). Frattini above all pressed for “mutual assessment” to be made allowing Member States to have a minimum “droit de regard” (or right to monitor) regarding their respective legal systems. With this in mind, the Commissioner pointed out that the Commission was currently working in the aim of setting a “sort of permanent forum” in place for assessing European policies in the field of justice, bringing together the representatives of Member States, professionals in the field of justice and civil society. Furthermore, Frattini said he hoped the German EU Presidency would press for abolition of the rule of unanimity, especially on judicial matters. The Commissioner remained cautious, however, when it came to the creation of a European prosecutor directly empowered to head inquiries and conduct prosecution, as some magistrates have advocated. He said “many Member States have expressed considerable doubt about the European prosecutor”. (bc)