Brussels, 19/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - Norway's Justice Minister Knut Storberget recently stated his wish to see prisoners that are EU nationals sent back to their respective countries of origin to serve out their sentences. He recently discussed this matter with the representatives of the Portuguese EU Council Presidency, reports the Norway Post on Thursday. Such a measure would be beneficial, on one hand, for the detainees as they would have the possibility of evolving in a more familiar environment, and, on the other, for the Norwegian prison system that would thus rid itself of a large number of prisoners, explained Mr Storberget. Some 200 European citizens are currently imprisoned in Norway. In this context, the minister hoped his country would be able to take part in the future agreement, the draft of which has yet to be examined before the European Parliament can give its opinion. The draft text in question was, in February, the subject of a political agreement in JHA Council (EUROPE 9367). It not only aims to facilitate the transfer of prisoners held in Norway to the member states of which they are nationals or in which they have a permanent residence, but also to ensure that prisoners are better able to reintegrate society, in the country where they have links, upon their release. It should be noted that the proposal will only apply to people sentenced in the future. (bc)