Luxembourg, 05/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 5 June, European justice ministers reached a political agreement concerning a draft Council regulation allowing member states to conclude bilateral agreements with third countries with regard to civil law. Speaking at a press conference, Jacques Barrot, Justice Commissioner, welcomed the fact that “by way of the principle of subsidiarity, member states will have a legal framework for settling bilateral problems with third countries especially with regard to matrimonial affairs”. The Community has acquired exclusive external competence for negotiating and concluding international agreements with third countries in a whole raft of areas (visas, asylum, immigration and other policies linked to the free movement of persons). The Community may not, however, have sufficient interest in replacing existing agreements concluded by member states with Community agreements. That is why the new procedure established by the regulation will allow the Community to assess whether it is in its interest to conclude a specific agreement and, should it not be sufficiently in its interest to conclude it itself, it may authorise member states to conclude the agreement in question. The procedure applies to areas regarding competence, recognition and execution of decisions on matrimonial issues, parental responsibility and alimony obligations, as well as to the law applying to maintenance allowance. This last area would require an unanimous vote in Council (consultation of the European Parliament). Ministers also noted the first reading agreement with the European Parliament on a similar draft regulation (qualified majority, codecision), on the law applying to contractual and non-contractual obligations. Ministers also noted the first reading agreement with Parliament, which will make it an obligation for EU member states to have more effective measures available for combating maritime pollution (EUROPE 9896). Ministers also took stock of Commission proposals presented in March on the fight against sexual exploitation of children and people smuggling (EUROPE 9868). Concerning these two proposals, Mr Barrot explained that discussions were underway with member states at the level of sanctions, extra-territorial justice aspects and the use of anonymous witnesses. He hoped an agreement would be found under Swedish EU Presidency. The commissioner also pointed out that the future online justice portal would be launched on 14 December this year, in 22 languages. As for the future draft regulation on inheritance, Mr Barrot said: “I can reassure those who are impatient. We shall present a text that will not come up against many obstacles”. According to some sources, this could be done from the summer on. The Council also approved conclusions on a common reference framework for European contract law. It also adopted a report on legal cooperation concerning the practical application of the European arrest warrant. (B.C./transl.jl)