Brussels, 22/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 21 September, member states requested that the European Commission bring forward an action plan to regulate the arrival of unaccompanied foreign minors in Europe by early 2010. It was Spain, working in tandem with the Swedish Presidency, which wanted to launch this issue so that it may be dealt with under its Presidency. “We have a mandate to draft an action plan using best practice among member states in the area, and to devise a range of ways to identify, determine the age and trace the families of unaccompanied minors,” said Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Jacques Barrot, following the meeting of EU home affairs ministers. “This action plan will consolidate legislative and financial instruments and will enhance cooperation with third countries,” he added. “Unaccompanied minors are a major problem and present a challenge for us. Some countries, such as Spain and Italy, and also Finland and Sweden, are more affected than others,” he stated. In 2008 alone, more than 11,000 asylum requests were made by unaccompanied minors in the EU. The Commission will consider several points: - unaccompanied minors who do not seek asylum and who are not protected by Community directives; - how to assess the age of those who claim to be minors and determine their country of origin if they are to be returned; - the problem of the disappearance of unaccompanied minors and care with regard to people trafficking (on this, Europol and Frontex could be involved); - how to organise the exchange of information and best practice and develop closer cooperation with countries of origin. The focus will be on children from areas where there is a high level of emigration. Structures will have to be put in place to look after the children properly when it proves impossible to trace their families, and information campaigns conducted to prevent children setting out in the first place. A coordinated approach at EU level is the best way to deal with these issues, says Barrot, with the guiding principles being solidarity and the best interests of the children concerned. (B.C./transl.rt)