Brussels, 11/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - EU justice and home affairs ministers will hold an informal Council meeting in Dresden from 14 to 16 January to try to find a response to the wishes expressed in December by the European Council, which called on Member States to make concrete progress in the area of JHA (see EUROPE 9329).
Improving police cooperation: One of the main aims set by the German Presidency is bringing Member States together on the Prüm Treaty, often referred to as “Schengen III”. This international law treaty, signed in 2005 and due to come into force in the spring of 2007, allows its signatories (Belgium, France, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Spain) to have direct access to DNA and fingerprint databases and vehicle registration databases of other States, when investigating criminal offences. The treaty also allows for the possibility of the transfer of sovereign authority to police forces from other contracting States in the event of major events. Several EU Member States (Italy, Finland, Portugal and Slovenia) have submitted their declarations of accession to the treaty (see EUROPE 9321). Germany intends to launch an initiative to communitarise the Prüm Treaty. The Presidency's intention is to have the all States join, without there being a discussion on the substance of the treaty. “The informal Council will gauge the level of hostility and welcome to this proposal,” said a diplomatic source.
Definition of clear objectives on immigration: Taking advantage of the conclusions of December's European Council and supported by a working paper presented at the end of November by British home minister John Reid (backed by Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Spain), ministers will try to agree on the objectives, principles and priorities in terms of a common migration policy. The document addresses three topics in particular: “Illegal immigration, repatriation and external borders”, “Relations with third countries and co-development” and “Cooperation in the area of asylum”. On illegal immigration, ministers will consider the proposal to promote residency limited in time (circular migration) as an instrument of migration and development policy. The idea is to come a “common pact” on migration, according to Mr Reid's expression. Once consensus has been achieved, the Commission will be asked to implement these priorities and prepare a model for partnership agreements.
Lively debate expected on family and succession law: Ministers will hold their first exchange of views on the two initiatives launched by the Commission in July 2006: the draft regulation (called “Rome III”) on cross-border divorces and the Green Paper on successions, which is likely to lead to a legislative initiative at the end of 2007 or start of 2008 (see EUROPE 9234). On the first initiative, several countries have displayed a lack of enthusiasm. In addition to the United Kingdom and Ireland, which have already indicated their intention to seek an opt-out, Sweden has indicated that, in cases of mixed Irano-Swedish marriages, Swedish courts could have to apply Iranian law. The Commission points out, however, that such a situation can be avoided if a State considers it counter to public order. The proposal also presents a problem for Malta where there is no legal divorce. Maltese authorities will not allow, for example, one of their courts to be required to grant a divorce between two foreigners resident on their territory through an extra-national law. Maltese demands could be satisfied through an exemption clause. Poland has also come out against the Commission's proposal.
Future of Home Affairs: there will be a debate on the medium-term future of European internal policy after 2010 (when the Hague Programme comes to an end, in 2009). A first initiative could come out of the informal meeting in Dresden. This meeting could lead to the creation of a working group composed of present and forthcoming Presidencies. This is a project which should guide prospects for internal policy 2010-2015.
Violent video games: Discussions will also be held on the possibility of harmonising rules restricting sales of violent video games to children. The Commission does not intend to bring forward a legislative proposal in this area, however. Its intention is to call on Member States to introduce more severe sanctions, similar to those under British legislation, for distributors of violent video games. Germany, the United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Finland, France and Spain have all expressed their support for a strong line to be taken on violent video games. (bc)