Brussels, 24/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is undertaking to abolish many legal obstacles that prevent European citizens from enjoying freedom of movement within the European Union. “No-one should be penalised because he or she has chosen to live as a European”, said Jacques Barrot, European Justice Commissioner, after a colloquy organised by the Council of Notaries of Europe (CNUE) on legal cooperation at the service of European families. He went on to say that it is imperative to have rules of law which give Europeans the legal security that is their due. More and more citizens choose to study, work, marry or retire in a member state that is not their country of nationality, and this often gives rise to complicated procedures for citizens. The Commission believes there is therefore a real demand on the part of citizens for Community initiatives in the area of family law. In his speech, Commissioner Barrot evoked current draft legislation. First of all, on the subject of the proposed Rome III regulation on cross-border divorces, he affirmed that he was examining how to put this proposal back on the table in the hope of reaching the widest possible agreement between member states (see EUROPE 9867). As regards matrimonial property regimes, a proposed regulation is expected by 2010. In the area of successions, a proposed regulation will be published on 6 April. This will give testators greater freedom in planning their succession, thanks to application of a single law (usual place of residence at time of death) for all of the deceased person's legacy. The text will also suggest the creation of a European succession certificate that will allow heirs to invoke their rights in all member states. Each year, 450,000 successions of an international dimension are opened in Europe for the overall sum of €123 billion, Barrot pointed out. The commissioner also issued a rallying call to the Notaries of Europe to contribute their expertise towards the preparation of the future Stockholm programme, which the Commission will present in May and which fixes its work targets for the years 2010 to 2014. The theme of the movement of authentic instruments and their mutual recognition will be addressed in this programme. “The authentic act is an element that is not only necessary but also essential for ensuring greater legal certainty for family relations beyond frontiers”, said Bernard Reynis, CNUE President, adding: “the incontestability of these instruments must now be recognised beyond the frontiers of states”. (B.C./transl.jl)