Strasbourg, 16/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - In a joint statement from four political groups at the European Parliament (PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL) adopted on Thursday 15 November 2007 by 306 to 186 with 37 abstentions, the European Parliament 'believes that the recent statements to the Italian press by Franco Frattini, Commission Vice-President, in connection with the serious incidents in Rome were contrary to the spirit and letter of Directive 2004/38/EC, a Directive with which he is called upon to comply in full,' the directive on the right of individuals to freely circulate within the member states.
Following the assassination in Rome, Italy, on 31 October of Italian citizen Giovanna Reggiani, allegedly by a young traveller (Rom) of Romanian origin, the Italian government passed a law to make it easier to deport EU foreigners for reasons of public security.
Frattini felt that the Italian measures were in line with Community law. He was said to have criticised Romano Prodi's Centre-Left government for not having in place arrangements “to allow the immediate expulsion” of those who had no means of subsistence.
A few minutes before voting, French MEP Joseph Daul, on behalf of the EPP-ED group, “firmly” condemned the personal attack on Frattini in the EP resolution. He said it was “a political manoeuvre unworthy of Italian Socialists, relayed by some colleagues”.
There followed a lively debate during which the leader of the Socialist group, German MEP Martin Schulz, reproached Daul for giving in to “the pressure from Forza Italia” (the party of Silvio Berlusconi, to which Frattini belongs). “It is not unreasonable to remind Commissioners of their duties,” said ALDE leader Graham Watson.
In the resolution, the EP restates the value of the free movement of persons (a fundamental principle of the EU) and notes that: - directive 2004/38/EC sets the possibility of expulsion of an EU citizen within clearly defined limits; - mass expulsions are forbidden by the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention. The EP calls on the Commission to submit a detailed assessment of the steps taken by member states to implement directive 2004/38/EC. The EP will, by 1 June 2008, carry out an assessment of the problems entailed in transcribing this directive. (L.C.)