08/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - In the aftermath of the ill-tempered debate on Friday 4 June in Luxembourg on the European Protection Order (EUROPE 10153), the commissioner for justice, Viviane Reding, indicated that “the Spanish Presidency did not receive a mandate from the Council to bring its proposal forward”. According to the commissioner, “the EU should be working to help victims rather than being a puppet for temporary interests of a rotating presidency”. The commissioner also pointed out that in the first half of 2011, she would present a solid package of measures to protect victims and strengthen their rights. The future Belgian Presidency has, nonetheless, announced that it will pursue negotiations with the Parliament on the basis of the Spanish text. (B.C./transl.fl)