A4-0367/97

Resolution on the draft Council Resolution laying down the priorities for cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs for the period from 1 January 1998 to the date of entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam (1002/1/97 - C4-0426/97 - 97/0910(CNS))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the draft Council Resolution (1002/1/97 - C4-0426/97 - 97/0910(CNS)),

- having regard to Article K. 6 of the EU Treaty,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Citizens' Rights (A4-0367/97),

A. whereas Parliament was consulted by the Luxembourg Presidency in accordance with the Treaty (Article K.6, second paragraph, of the Treaty on European Union),

B. whereas the deadlines for consultation imposed by the Council on Parliament have too often prevented sufficiently measured, detailed and documented opinions from being drawn up,

1. Notes that, under the terms of Article K.6, second paragraph, of the Treaty on European Union, the recitals should state that Parliament is consulted and its views duly taken into consideration;

2. Notes that the priorities should be reviewed before 31 December 1998 if the Treaty of Amsterdam has not entered into force by that date;

3. Calls on the Council to indicate, in its revision of the list of priorities, which projects have been completed and which, for what reasons, have not;

4. Calls on the Council, ahead of the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam, to consult Parliament pursuant to Article K.6, second paragraph, of the Treaty on European Union when new decisions are being drawn up under Schengen and in its preparatory measures on the incorporation of the Schengen acquis;

5. Proposes that a new Schengen conference be held in the near future, after consultation with national parliaments, with a view to reaching agreement on parliamentary control and cooperation in the implementation of the Schengen Agreement;

6. Calls on the Council to give the highest priority to taking all the measures necessary to achieve freedom of movement for persons; calls on the Council accordingly to proceed as a matter of urgency with the enactment of the three proposals for directives of 12 July 1995 concerning the free movement of persons (the ¨Monti' directives);

7. Calls for the fight against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism to continue to be an absolute priority for the Council, especially following the European Year against Racism, and for particular attention to be given to NGOs and micro-projects in this area;

8. Calls for priority also to be given to all measures for improving and stepping up judicial cooperation in the single market;

9. Calls on the Council, with regard to judicial cooperation, to pursue with greater rigour than it has done hitherto the objectives laid down in the Treaty on European Union, and points out that servicing, summonsing and letters rogatory must be possible within the European Union as if it were one country;

10. Calls on the Council to recommend those Member States which have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Hague Convention concluded on 25 October 1980 in order to facilitate international access to the courts ;

11. Draws attention to the fact that legal protection in cross-border legal disputes is de facto non-existent, which poses a problem that the Council must address in order to devise the required solutions in the legal field;

12. Concludes that since the Hague Convention, which is designed to facilitate access to the courts in international disputes, has not yet been ratified by all the Member States, and other Hague conventions have not been signed, let alone ratified, by all the Member States, the Legal Affairs Committee will draw up an own-initiative report on the subject;

13. Calls on the Council to ensure that the anti-terrorism initiatives are continued and to take the necessary steps to ensure that Europol assumes its responsibilities in this area without delay;

14. Repeats its call to the Commission and Council to establish working relations with Parliament that will enable consultations under the third pillar to proceed smoothly; calls accordingly on the Council to grant Parliament the right to be consulted at the stage of preparations for implementation of the Treaty of Amsterdam; hopes the Commission will make greater use of its right of initiative;

15. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.