Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament - Biannual update of the scoreboard to review progress on the creation of an area of "freedom, security and justice" in the European Union (second half of 2000)
Date: 2000-11-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Treaty on European Union, access to the courts, fundamental rights, immigration, public safety

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 30.11.2000
COM(2000) 782 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

BIANNUAL UPDATE OF THE SCOREBOARD TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON THE
CREATION OF AN AREA OF “FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE” IN THE
EUROPEAN UNION

(SECOND HALF OF 2000)

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

BIANNUAL UPDATE OF THE SCOREBOARD TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON
THE CREATION OF AN AREA OF “FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE”
IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

(SECOND HALF OF 2000)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.

2.

2.1.

2.2.

2.3.

2.4.

3.

3.1.

3.2.

3.3.

4.

4.1.

4.2.

4.3.

4.4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Introduction ..............................................................................................................3

A common eu asylum and migration policy...............................................................4

Partnership with countries of origin...........................................................................5

A Common european asylum system.........................................................................5

Fair treatment of third country nationals....................................................................8

Management of migration flows..............................................................................10

A genuine european area of justice..........................................................................12

Better access to justice in Europe ............................................................................12

Mutual recognition of judicial decisions..................................................................14

Greater convergence in civil law .............................................................................18

Union-wide fight against crime ...............................................................................20

Preventing crime at the level of the Union...............................................................20

Stepping up cooperation in the fight against crime ..................................................21

Fight against certain forms of crime ........................................................................26

Special action against money laundering .................................................................30

Issues related to internal and external borders and visa policy, Implementation
of Art. 62 EC and converting the Schengen Acquis .................................................32

Citizenship of the Union .........................................................................................36

Cooperation against drugs.......................................................................................36

Stronger external action ..........................................................................................38

2

1.

INTRODUCTION

The European Council meeting in Tampere on 15 and 16 October 1999 invited
the Commission to make a proposal
for an “appropriate Scoreboard
mechanism” whose purpose would be to “keep under constant review progress
made towards implementing the necessary measures and meeting the deadlines”
set by the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Vienna Action Plan and the Tampere
conclusions for the creation of an “area of freedom, security and justice”. In
response to this invitation,
the Commission presented in March 2000 a
communication to the Council and the European Parliament (COM(2000)167 of
24 March 2000) entitled “Scoreboard to review progress on the creation of an
area of freedom, security and justice in the European Union”. A consolidated
version was made available on 29 May 2000,
incorporating a number of
clarifications resulting from comments made by certain Member States either
during the Council session of 27 March 2000 or subsequently.

The present version is the first biannual update of the scoreboard in accordance
with the Commission's undertaking to review it once per Presidency. It
is
intended to underline the progress made during the French Presidency. The
format, and of course the aims and scope of the scoreboard, have not been
changed. The main changes are to be found in the “state of play” column, which
represents the “moving target” that the conclusions of Tampere set for all
institutions and the Member States, enabling progress to be monitored in
relation to the objective of creating and developing the European Union as an
area of freedom, security and justice.

The considerable progress achieved since the presentation of the first version of
the scoreboard can be summarised as follows:

The Commission has presented or finalised proposals for legislative acts and/or
communications in a number of the fields covered in the scoreboard, namely:

- Two proposals and two communications in the field of asylum and migration:

- proposal for a directive on temporary protection;
- proposal for a directive on minimum asylum standards;
- communication on common asylum procedures;
- communication on a Community migration policy;

- One proposal in the field of judicial cooperation on civil and commercial

matters:

- proposal for a European Judicial Network;

- Five communications in the field of cooperation on crime prevention:

- communication on protection of the Community's financial interests;
- communication on mutual recognition of final decisions in criminal
matters;
- communication on Eurojust;
- communication on crime prevention;
- communication on cybercrime;

3

- One amended draft proposal for a Regulation in the field of visa policy was
submitted to Council and Parliament following the opinion of the European
Parliament.

Furthermore, the Council and the Commission have completed the drawing up of
a joint programme of measures on mutual recognition in civil and criminal
matters.

The Council, building upon proposals from the Commission or on the basis of
Member State initiatives, has adopted or is scheduled to adopt at its November
session a number of legislative acts, including:

- the decision on the creation of the European Refugee Fund;
- two directives on the equal treatment of persons (irrespective of race or
ethnic origin and in employment);
- the Convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters;
- the framework decision on the protection of the euro;
- the decision on cooperation between financial intelligence units;
- the Eurodac Regulation;
- the decision on the provisional Eurojust unit.

the Council has also adopted
With regard to non-legislative measures,
conclusions in a number of areas covered in the scoreboard (fight against
financial crime, alternative dispute resolution and conditions for the reception of
asylum seekers). It has also adopted some negotiating directives authorising the
Commission to negotiate readmission agreements with four non-EU countries.

The European Parliament has also been active. It has delivered opinions on or is
actively examining a number of proposals submitted by the Commission, as well
as several initiatives tabled by Member States, including:

the framework decision reformatting the joint action on money

- the Convention on improving mutual assistance in criminal matters;
- the establishment of the European Police College;
- the extension of Europol’s mandate to cover money laundering;
-
laundering;
- the regulation on jurisdiction and recognition and enforcement of
judgments in civil and commercial matters;
- the regulation on mutual enforcement of rights of access to children;
- the establishment of a secretariat for the joint supervisory data protection
bodies;
- the fight against environmental crime;
- the security of non-cash means of payment.

Lastly, in June the Feira European Council adopted the action plan against drugs
as well as a report concerning external relations in the field of justice and home
affairs.

The Commission intends to present its second update of the scoreboard at the end
of the Swedish Presidency.

4

2.

A COMMON EU ASYLUM AND MIGRATION POLICY

The separate but closely related issues of asylum and migration call for the
development of a common EU policy to include the following elements:

2.1.

Partnership with countries of origin

A comprehensive approach to migration will be developed, addressing political,
human rights and development issues in countries and regions of origin and
transit based on a partnership with those countries and regions with a view to
promoting co-development.

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable for
adoption

State of play

Assessment of
countries and regions
of origin and transit in
order to formulate
specific integrated
approaches

Continuation of the
mandate of the High
Level Working Group
on Asylum and
Migration

Council and
Commission

Council and
Commission

April 2001

Council and
Commission

As quickly as
possible

Assessment of other
countries and regions
in view of drawing up
new action plans

Implementation of a
new budgetary
instrument for
cooperation with
third countries of
origin and transit1

Ongoing work within the
HLWG – the report on
the implementation of
the action plans already
adopted will be drawn
up in December 2000

Action plan for Albania
and the neighbouring
regions adopted by the
Council in June 2000

No decision yet taken on
which further countries
need to be assessed

The Commission
intends to present a
proposal for a legal
basis in the first
quarter of 20012

2.2.

A common European asylum system

The aim is to ensure full and inclusive application of the Geneva Convention,
ensuring that nobody is sent back to persecution, i.e. maintaining the principle of
non-refoulement.

In the long term, a common asylum procedure and a uniform status for granting
asylum valid throughout the Union must be established.

Secondary movements by asylum seekers between Member States should be
limited.

Agreement will be actively sought on a temporary protection regime for
displaced persons on the basis of solidarity among Member States.

1

2

Follow-up to EP resolution of 30 March 2000.
See also table on “management of migration flows”.

5

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable
for
adoption

State of play

Determination of the State
responsible for the
examination of an asylum
application

Examination of the
effectiveness of the Dublin
Convention

Evaluation to be
conducted by
the Commission

2000

Adoption of criteria and
mechanisms (regulation)

April 2001

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Finalise work on
EURODAC

Council and
Commission

Questionnaire sent by
the Commission to the
Member States in June
2000
Final evaluation report in
January 2001

Commission's staff
working document
presented in March 2000
Commission intends to
present a proposal in
March 2001

Commission proposal
submitted in 1999 (an
amended proposal was
submitted in March 2000)

Parliament opinion in
September 2000
(following
reconsultation)

Formal adoption of the
legal basis in November
2000

Ongoing preparatory work
for the setting up of the
System, under the
responsibility of the
Commission

A fair and efficient asylum
procedure

Adoption of common
minimum standards on
procedures for granting or
withdrawing refugee status
with a view, inter alia, to
reducing the duration of
asylum procedures, and
with special reference to
the situation of children
(directive)

Definition of common
minimum conditions for
reception of asylum
seekers (with particular
attention to the situation of
children) (directive)

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

April 2001

Commission presented a
proposal in September
2000

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

April 2001

Preliminary study under
the auspices of the
Commission, completed

Council conclusions
adopted in November
2000 on the basis of a
French Presidency
working document

Commission plans to
present a proposal in
February 2001

Presentation of a
Commission
communication in
November 2000

Presentation of a
Commission

Common asylum
procedure

Commission (in
part)

Uniform status throughout
the Union for those who

As a follow-up to the
Commission

Council, on the
basis of a

6

are granted asylum

communication, a
legislative instrument may
be needed

Commission
proposal

communication in
November 2000 (see
previous point)

Approximation of rules on
the recognition and
content of refugee status
(directive)

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

April 2004

Commission intends to
present a proposal for a
directive in the second
half of 2001

Adoption of measures on
refugees and displaced
persons, aimed at giving
an appropriate status to
any person in need of
international protection

Temporary protection in
the event of mass influx of
displaced persons in need
of international protection
(directive)

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

As quickly
as possible

Commission presented a
proposal for a directive
in May 2000

Ensuring a balance of
effort between Member
States in receiving
refugees and displaced
persons and bearing the
consequences of such
intake

Subsidiary forms of
protection (directive)

Setting up a European
Refugee Fund (decision)

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

April 2004

Commission plans to
present a proposal for a
directive in the second
half of 2001

As quickly
as possible

Decision adopted by the
Council in September
2000

Securing a financial
reserve available in the
event of mass influx of
refugees

Council and EP,
possibly on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Commission in process
of implementation for
2000 and 2001

Commission is exploring
possibilities

7

2.3.

Fair treatment of third country nationals

The conditions for admission and residence of third country nationals will be
approximated, on the basis of a shared assessment of economic and
demographic developments within the Union, as well as of the situation in the
countries of origin.

An integration policy should aim at granting third country nationals who reside
legally on the territory of Member States (and in particular long-term residents),
rights and obligations comparable to those of European Union citizens, as well
as enhancing non-discrimination and the fight against racism and xenophobia.

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Fight against all
forms of
discrimination,
especially racism
3

and xenophobia

Implementation of the
principle of equal treatment
between persons
irrespective of race or ethnic
origin (directive)

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Timetable
for
adoption

June-
December
2000

State of play

Directive adopted by the
Council in June 2000

Establishment of a general
framework for equal
treatment in employment
and occupation (directive)

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Programmes drawing upon
best practices and
experiences (decision)

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Strengthening of
cooperation with the
European Monitoring Centre
on Racism and Xenophobia
and the Council of Europe

Council /
Commission

Directive adopted by the
Council in October 2000

Agreement in the
Council on the
Community action
programme (2001-2006)
to support Member States’
efforts - October 2000

Official opening of the
Centre on 7 April 2000

3

Measures aimed at enhancing non-discrimination and at fighting racism and xenophobia apply
generally to all persons residing in the territory of the European Union; they are particularly
relevant with regard to third country nationals.

8

In the light of the second
Council report on the
implementation of the
Joint Action of 15 July
1996, expected end-
2000, the Commission
will assess in 2001
whether a new initiative
is appropriate and what
its scope should be

Commission
communication
presented in November
2000

Commission proposal for a
directive on the right to
family reunification
submitted to Parliament
and Council on 1
December 1999

Parliament opinion in
September 2000

Commission plans to
present proposals for
directives in the first half
of 2001

Study sponsored by the
Commission on the legal
status of third country
nationals who are long-
term residents in a
Member State of the
European Union
completed in July 2000

Council conclusions
adopted in November
2000

Commission plans to
present a proposal for a
directive in January 2001

Enhancing police and
judicial cooperation in
preventing and combating
racism and xenophobia –
common charges for racism
and xenophobia (framework

4

decision)

Approximation of
national
legislation on the
conditions for
admission and
residence of third
country nationals

Assessment of present and
future migration flows into
the EU, with regard to
demographic changes, the
situation of labour market,
as well as migration
pressures from countries
and regions of origin

Conditions of entry and
residence for the purpose of
(a) family reunification, (b)
study or vocational training,
(c) paid employment and
self-employed economic
activity (directives)

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Council /
Commission /
Member States

Council, on the
basis of Commission
proposals

Standards and procedures
for the issue of long term
visas and residence permits
(directive)

Council, on the
basis of Commission
proposals

Council, on the
basis of Commission
proposals

Approximation of
the legal status of
third country
nationals

Definition of a set of uniform
rights (e.g. the right to
reside, receive education
and work as an employee or
a self-employed person) to
be granted to third country
nationals who have resided
legally in a Member State for
a period of time to be
determined (directive)

4

See also table on “fight against certain forms of crime”.

9

Council, on the
basis of Commission
proposals

Determination of the criteria
and of the conditions under
which, like Community
nationals and their families,
third country nationals could
be allowed to settle and
work in any Member State of
the Union, taking account of
the consequences for social
equilibrium and the labour
market (directive)

2.4.

Management of migration flows

Management of migration flows should be improved at every stage through
close cooperation with countries of origin and transit.

The fight against
criminal networks involved while securing the rights of victims.

immigration will be enhanced by combating the

illegal

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable
for
adoption

State of play

Data collection started
in October 1998 ;
second phase
(extension to
candidate countries,
Norway and Iceland)
to be launched during
the second half of
2000 (after evaluation
of the initial phase)

Preparatory actions
(on the basis of
previous feasibility
study) financed by
ODYSSEUS
programme;
Commission’s staff
working document
presented to the
experts from the
Member States in
June 2000

Commission plans to
table a proposal by
the end of 2000

French Presidency
presented two
initiatives in July
2000, one for a
directive and one for
a framework
decision, on the
responsibility of
smugglers

To improve the exchange of
statistics and information on
asylum and immigration
(this exchange should
include statistics as well as
information on national
legislation and policies)

Further
implementation of the
action plan adopted by
the Council in April
1998

Commission, in
cooperation with
Member States

Setting up of a (virtual)
European Migration
Observatory

Commission

To enhance the fight
against trafficking in human
beings and economic
exploitation of migrants

Council on the basis
of Commission
proposals

Adoption of measures
establishing minimum
rules on what
constitutes a criminal
act and what penalties
should apply to
organised crime linked
with trafficking of
human beings

(framework decision)

5

5

See also table on “fight against certain forms of crime”.

10

Member States /
Europol

Detecting and
dismantling the
criminal networks
involved by making
the fight against illegal
immigration one of the
priorities of operational
cooperation

Exploring
possibilities for
establishing
common standards
and pooling
resources for
investigations into
illegal immigration
networks6

Further harmonisation
of Member States
laws on carrier’s
liability (directive)

Council on the basis
of a Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Work in progress in the
Council (CIREFI) on
improving action against
illegal immigration
networks

French Presidency tabled
a directive in July 2000

Council on the basis
of Commission
proposals

April 2001

Commission intends to
present a proposal for a
legal basis for
implementing a new
budgetary instrument7

To assist countries of origin
and transit

To establish a coherent
European Union policy on
readmission and return

Development of
information campaigns
on the actual
possibilities for legal
immigration and
prevention of all forms
of trafficking in human
beings

Promotion of voluntary
return

Strengthening the
ability of the
authorities in those
countries to combat
effectively trafficking in
human beings

Helping third countries
to cope with their
readmission
obligations towards
the Union and the
Member States

To conclude read-
mission agreements or
to include standard
clauses in other
agreements between
the European
Community and
relevant third countries
or groups of countries

Council, on the
basis of Commission
proposals

Development of
common minimum
standards on
repatriation

Council

Commission

Member States

Council adopted
negotiating mandates in
September 2000
authorising the
Commission to negotiate
readmission agreements
with four third countries

French Presidency
presented a draft directive
in July 2000 on the mutual
recognition of expulsion
orders

6

7

Transferred from table on “stepping up cooperation in the fight against crime”.
See also table on “partnership with countries of origin”.

11

3.

A GENUINE EUROPEAN AREA OF JUSTICE

The ambition is to give citizens a common sense of justice throughout the
Union. Justice must be seen as facilitating the day-to-day life of people and
bringing to justice those who threaten the freedom and security of individuals
judicial
and society. This includes both better access to justice and full
cooperation among Member States.

3.1.

Better access to justice in Europe

A genuine area of justice must ensure that individuals and businesses can
approach courts and authorities in any Member State as easily as in their own
and not be prevented or discouraged from exercising their rights by the
complexity of the legal and administrative systems in the Member States.

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable for
adoption

State of play

Information campaign and
publication of “user guides”
on judicial cooperation within
the Union

Commission

Ensure
legal
certainty
and equal
access to
justice

Commission will prepare specific
initiatives during 2001, ensuring
synergy with the future
European Judicial Network and
with the work of the Council of
Europe

Council, on the
basis of a proposal
by the Commission

2001

Commission proposal
presented to the Council in
September 2000

Establishment of a
permanent information
system by a network of
national authorities (the
European Judicial Network
for Civil Matters)

Proposal to establish
minimum standards of legal
aid

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

April 2004

April 2004

Proposal on common
procedural rules for small
civil and commercial claims,
uncontested claims and
maintenance claims

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Proposal to establish
minimum standards of
quality for ADR

Member States to
set up the
extra-judicial
procedures

April 2004

12

Following presentation of its
Green Paper in February 2000,
the Commission has started
work with a view to presenting a
proposal for a directive on legal
aid in 2001.
In addition, it is preparing a
discussion paper on recovery of
legal costs and lawyer’s fees

The Commission sent a
questionnaire on small claims
to the Member States in
September 2000 and will
present a comparative study in
the spring of 2001. It will launch
a consultation process in 2001
with a view to presenting a
proposal in 2002.

The Commission will launch a
study in 2001 on uncontested
claims with a view to presenting
a proposal in 2002.

Commission launched the
European Extra Judicial net (EEJ
net) for consumers. In May 2000
the Council adopted
conclusions on alternative
dispute resolution. The
Commission intends to present

Ensure
legal
certainty
and equal
access to
justice

Protect
rights
to
compensati
on
and
provide
assistance
to victims

Creation of multilingual
forms mutually accepted as
valid documents in cross-
border legal proceedings

Drawing up of minimum
standards for protection of
victims

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

April 2004

a Green Paper in October 2001
with a view to preparing for the
establishment of minimum
quality standards.

This issue is dealt with in part in
the questionnaire on small
claims and will be addressed
generally in the context of the
various projects on
harmonisation of certain rules
for civil proceedings.

2002

Commission transmitted a
communication in July 1999.

Portuguese Presidency
presented an initiative for a
framework decision on the
status of victims in criminal
proceedings

Parliament opinion expected in
December 2000

Commission to launch
complementary measures in
2001

Commission to launch a
consultation process by
presenting a Green Paper in
2001

Further instruments on
approximation of
compensation arrangements
for victims

2004

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

13

3.2.

Mutual recognition of judicial decisions

A genuine area of justice must provide legal certainty to individuals and to
economic operators. To that end, judgments and decisions should be respected
and enforced throughout the Union.

Enhanced mutual recognition of judicial decisions and judgments and the
necessary approximation of legislation would facilitate cooperation between
authorities and the judicial protection of individual rights. The principle of
mutual recognition should become the cornerstone of judicial cooperation in
both civil and criminal matters within the European Union.

As regards civil matters;

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable for
adoption

State of play

Enhanced mutual
recognition of judicial
decisions and judgments,
and the necessary
approximation of
legislation, to facilitate
cooperation between
authorities and the judicial
protection of individual
rights8

Programme of
measures on mutual
recognition of civil and
commercial decisions
(containing measures
required for mutual
recognition and
enforcement;
abolishing obstacles
for small claims and
family litigation)

Council and
Commission to
adopt a
programme

Programme to
be adopted by
the end of 2000

Programme
adopted by
the Council in
November
2000

Proposal on minimum
standards for specific
aspects of civil
procedure (new
procedural legislation
on money payments)9•

Council on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

The
Commission
will carry out
a study in
2001 on
procedural
laws
governing
payment
orders (cf.

8

9

See also table on “greater convergence in civil law”.
•Order of action was changed.

14

Launching of work on
the European
Enforcement Order10•

Council on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

3.1.4 above)

This action
has been
included in
the
programme
of measures
to implement
the principle
of mutual
recognition
(see in
particular the
previous
point).

10

•Order of action was changed.

15

As regards criminal matters;

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable for
adoption

State of play

Make sure criminals have no
safe havens

Ratification of the
1995 and 1996 EU
Conventions on
extradition

Member States

April 2001

Austria, Finland,
Netherlands, Sweden,
Greece, Germany,
Denmark, Spain and
Portugal ratified the 1995
Convention

FIN, Netherlands, P, EL,
D, Denmark and E ratified
the 1996 Convention

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Council /
Commission

Study on abolition of
formal extradition
procedures
concerning persons
fleeing from justice
after having been
sentenced

Providing for fast-track
extradition procedures

Examine the issue of
extradition in relation
to procedures in
absentia

Programme of
measures on the
application of the
principle of mutual
recognition to be
followed by specific
instruments

Application of mutual
recognition to pre-trial
orders

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Ensure that decisions taken
in one Member State have
effect throughout the Union11

End 2001

Commission to prepare
proposal

End 2001

Commission to prepare
proposal

April 2004

To be included in
Commission proposal
(see above)

Programme to
be adopted by
the end 2000

In July 2000
Commission presented a
communication on
mutual recognition of
final decisions in
criminal matters

Programme adopted by
the Council in November
2000

French Presidency
announced an initiative
on the freezing of assets

and evidence

12

Examine the feasibility
of improved cross-

Council, on the
basis of a

April 2004

Included in the
programme on mutual

11

12

See also table on “fight against certain forms of crime” (e.g. trafficking in human beings, drug
trafficking and terrorism).
See also table on “special action against money laundering”.

16

border cooperation on
the transfer of
proceedings and the
enforcement of
sentences

Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

recognition (see above)

17

Study the feasibility of
extending and
possibly formalising
the exchange of
information on criminal
records

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

April 2004

Included in the
programme on
mutual recognition
(see above)

3.3.

Greater convergence in civil law

In order to smooth judicial cooperation and enhance access to law, better
compatibility and more convergence between the legal systems must be
achieved.

Objectives

Action needed

Responsibility

Eliminate
obstacles created
by disparities in
law and
procedures

New procedural legislation
in cross-border cases (e.g.
provisional measures,
taking of evidence, time
limits)

Council, on the basis
of a Commission
proposal or a Member
State initiative.

Timetable for
adoption

April 2004

General study to identify
and eliminate obstacles to
the smooth functioning of
civil proceedings

Council to prepare a
report

End 2001

Finalising the Brussels
and the Lugano
Conventions13

Council, on the basis
of a Commission
proposal

April 2001

Drawing up a legal
instrument on the law
applicable to non-
contractual obligations.

Council, on the basis
of a Commission
proposal or a Member
State initiative

April 2001

Revising, where
necessary, the 1980
Rome Convention.

Council, on the basis
of a Commission
proposal or a Member
State initiative

April 2001

State of play

Germany tabled an
initiative on taking of
evidence in September
2000. The issue of
procedural law is
partly included in the
mutual recognition
programme.

Commission is
preparing a
communication

Council regulation
replacing the Brussels
Convention is being
finalised.

Once it is adopted, the
Commission will
submit to the Council a
recommendation for a
negotiating brief for an
agreement between
the Community and
the Lugano countries.

Commission to issue a
Green Paper by end
2000, followed, if need
be, by a draft
regulation

Commission to prepare
a Green Paper for
2001, followed, if need
be by a draft regulation

13

See also table on “mutual recognition of judicial decisions”.

18

Preliminary study on the
possibility of drawing up a
legal instrument on the law
applicable to divorce

Council/ Commission

April 2004

Elaboration of a
preliminary study on
jurisdiction and the law
applicable to matrimonial
property and successions

Council/
Commission

April 2004

In May 2000 Council
produced a
comparative study on
national legislation
and the position of the
Member States on the
basis of a
questionnaire

Commission may
initiate a
complementary study

The issue of court
jurisdiction and
recognition of rulings
is included in the
mutual recognition
programme.

19

4.

UNION-WIDE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

A balanced development of Union-wide measures against all forms of crime,
including serious organised and transnational crime, should be achieved while
protecting the freedom and legal rights of individuals and economic operators.

In this context, particular attention is drawn to the “European Union Strategy for
the beginning of the new Millennium” on prevention and control of organised
crime. Some complementary actions, going beyond the Tampere conclusions
and called for by the recommendations in this strategy have been introduced in
this chapter.

4.1.

Preventing crime at the level of the Union

Any efficient policy in the fight against all
otherwise, must include also preventive measures of a multidisciplinary nature.

types of crime, organised or

Crime prevention aspects must be incorporated into actions and programmes
against crime at Union and Member State level.

Cooperation between national prevention organisations should be encouraged
whilst identifying certain areas of priority.

Objectives

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable
for adoption

State of play

Prevent crime
through reduction of
opportunities

Identification and development of
common priorities – political
guidelines – to be taken into
account when preparing new
legislation; assessment of impact
on crime prevention of new
legislation

Council/
Commission/
Member States

20

The Portuguese
Presidency
organised a high-
level conference in
May 2000

Commission to
present a
communication on
crime prevention in
November 2000,
focusing in
particular on
implementing
Community
policies and
instruments,
criminality tests
and the
establishment of a
multidisciplinary
European Forum
for the prevention
of organised crime

In addition,
following the
request made by
the Council in
December 1998,
the Commission
and Europol will
submit a working
paper on

Facilitate
cooperation
between Member
States

Council/
Commission/
Member States

Council /
Commission/
Member States

2001

Integration of crime prevention
aspects in actions and
programmes against crime at the
Union and Member State level –
policy guidelines to be adopted by
Council

Exchange of best practices and
cooperation between national
crime prevention authorities in
priority areas, possibly by setting
up a Community-funded
programme addressing such
matters as, juvenile, urban and
drug-related crime

Prevention of penetration of
organised crime in legitimate
economic sectors

preventing
organised crime
before end 2000.

a

above)

Commission
communication
to
(see
include a proposal
financial
for
instrument
to
support
cooperation
between
departments
and
bodies responsible
for
crime
prevention.

French
and
Swedish initiative
before end of year
for
Council
a
decision
establishing
crime
network.

a
prevention

4.2.

Stepping up cooperation in the fight against crime

In a genuine area of justice, criminals must find no ways of exploiting
differences in the judicial systems of Members States

Giving citizens a high level of protection implies greater cooperation between
the authorities responsible for applying the law. To this end, maximum benefit
should be derived from cooperation between authorities in the Member States
when investigating cross-border cases.

The Treaty of Amsterdam, by providing further competencies to Europol,
recognised its essential and central role in facilitating European cooperation in
preventing and combating organised crime.

21

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Coordinate and,
where
appropriate,
centralise
proceedings

Set up joint investigative teams, as
a first step, to combat trafficking in
drugs and human beings as well
as terrorism – when investigating
cross-border crime

Timetable
for
adoption

Without
delay

Setting up a unit composed of
national prosecutors, magistrates
or police officers of equivalent
competence – EUROJUST

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

End 2001

State of Play

Council adopted Mutual
Legal Assistance
Convention in May 2000

Portuguese Presidency
presented an initiative
on anticipating
application of Article 13
of the Convention -
discussion pending

Adoption by Council in
November 2000 of a
decision to create a
provisional unit in
January 2001 (on the
basis of a French
initiative)

Preliminary discussions
in progress on the
definitive unit on the
basis of Member State
initiatives (France,
Portugal, Sweden,
Belgium and Germany).

Presentation of
Commission
communication in
November 2000

Implement and, where
appropriate, further develop the
European judicial network

Prevent conflicts of jurisdiction by
examining the possibility of
registering proceedings pending in
different Member States

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

April 2001

Pilot project on a
telecommunications
network to be launched
before end 2000

April 2004

Included in the mutual
recognition programme
(see point 3.2)

Provide mutual
assistance to the
fullest extent
possible

Adoption, ratification and
implementation of the Convention
on Mutual Assistance in Criminal
Matters

Council / Member
States

April 2001

Council adopted
Convention in May 2000

Ratification process to
begin in January 200114

Consider arrangements under
which authorities may operate in
the territory of another Member
State

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

April 2001

14

See also table on “mutual recognition of judicial decisions”.

22

Examine the possibilities for
harmonised rules on data
protection

April 2001

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Drawing up minimum standards

Protect rights of
victims and
provide
assistance

April 2001

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Develop
operational police
cooperation and
law enforcement
training at EU
level

Establishment of a European
Police Chiefs operational Task
Force

2001

Council on the basis
of a Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Establishment of compatible
criminal intelligence systems
among Member States

Appropriate decision
by Council needed

Setting up the European Police
College – starting as a network of
existing national training institutes
– open to candidate countries

2001

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

In October 2000 Council
adopted a decision
establishing a joint
secretariat for data
protection bodies
(Europol, CIS, SIS).

The Council is
discussing a resolution
proposed on the
initiative of the French
Presidency (based on a
previous Portuguese
initiative).

Portuguese Presidency
presented draft
framework decision on
victim’s situation in
criminal proceedings

Parliament opinion
expected December
2000

The first meeting of the
European Chiefs of
Police took place in
April, and was followed
by a second meeting in
September.

The Council is
discussing a Council
decision (Portuguese
initiative) to be adopted
end 2000 on setting up
the European Police
College in 2001.
According to the draft
decision, the College
should function as a
network for the first
three years. The first
course prefiguring the
network was
inaugurated in
November 2000 in Lyon.

23

Implementation of the CIS
(Customs Information System)
and Naples II Conventions.

Member States

Ongoing

Enhance customs
cooperation in the
fight against crime
and regarding the
use of information
technology

To strengthen law enforcement
cooperation against smuggling

Foster
international
cooperation in the
fight against
transnational
organised crime

Adoption and ratification of the
United Nations' Convention on
transnational organised crime and
the additional Protocols

Council, Member
States/ Commission

End of
2000 for
signature

Extend the competence of Europol
to cover money laundering in
general regardless of the offence
from which the proceeds originate

Council on the basis
of an initiative by a
Member State

Reinforce the role
of Europol in
facilitating
European
cooperation in
preventing and
combating crime
with the
necessary support
and resources

24

Naples II Convention
ratified by France and
Greece only; they could
agree, if necessary, to
apply it between
themselves.

French Presidency is
preparing a guide for
applying the provisions
of the Naples II
Convention.

CIS Convention (third
pillar) has been ratified
by Denmark, Greece,
Italy, Germany, Portugal,
France, Spain, Sweden,
Finland and UK. The
Protocol on the
provisional entry into
force of the Convention
has been ratified by all
the above except Italy
and Portugal. It will be
applied among those
Member States which
have ratified it from
November 2000.

Italy announced an
initiative in the field of
smuggling in March 2000

Work has been
completed on the United
Nations' Convention on
transnational organised
crime and on the
Protocols on trafficking
in human beings and the
smuggling of migrants.
In November 2000 the
Council adopted a
decision authorising the
Commission to sign the
three instruments on
behalf of the Community
alongside the signatures
of the Member States.

The Convention will be
signed in December
2000.

Negotiations need to
continue on the
Firearms Protocol.

Council agreement in
principle in September
2000.

Parliament opinion in
November 2000.

first

consideration

step,
adopted

the
As a
a
Council
recommendation
in
September 2000, calling
on Member States to
to
give
requests from Europol
conduct
to
to
investigations
or
coordinate
their
investigations in specific
areas.

Examination on the feasibility of
setting up a database of pending
cases

Europol / Council

Appropriate decision
by Council needed

April 2004
without
delay for
certain
areas

Council on the basis
of an initiative by a
Member State

April 2004

Enable Europol to facilitate the
preparation of specific
investigative actions by the
competent authorities of the
Member States, including
operational actions of joint
investigative teams

Adopt measures allowing Europol
to ask the competent authorities of
the Member States to conduct and
co-ordinate their investigations in
specific cases and to develop
specific expertise which may be
out at the disposal of M-S to assist
them in investigating cases of
organised crime

25

Consideration to be given to the
possible need to revise Europol
Convention to cover new
competencies and the question of
democratic and judicial control

Council /
Commission

Commission
is
examining possibility of
a
presenting
communication on the
amendment
the
Europol Convention as
regards:
joint
-
investigation teams, and
- democratic control of
Europol.

setting

up

of

judicial
The matter of
be
control
considered
the
context of setting up
Eurojust.

must
in

4.3.

Fight against certain forms of crime

With regard to national criminal law, efforts to agree on common definitions,
instance on a limited
changes and penalties should be focused in the first
number of sectors of particular relevance. Agreements on common definitions,
charges and penalties regarding serious organised and transnational crime need
to be established in order to protect the freedom and legal rights of individual
and economic operators.

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Adopt a common
approach
throughout the EU
on cross border
crimes

Criminalisation of trafficking in
human beings and sexual
exploitation of children15 with
particular reference to child
pornography on the Internet16

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Common definitions, charges
17
and penalties
in the field of
drug trafficking18

Common definitions, charges
and penalties in the field of
corruption

Common definitions, charges
and penalties in the field of
environmental crime

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal

Council

April 2001

Timetable
for
adoption

April 2001

State of play

Commission plans to
adopt a
communication before
end 2000

April 2001

Commission launched
study in July 2000, to
be completed end 2000

April 2001

Commission plans to
prepare a working
document for the first
quarter of 2001

Denmark tabled an
initiative in January
2000.

The Council agreed in
September 2000 that it
was appropriate to
draw up common
legislation at European
level. A significant body
of relevant Community

15

16

17

18

See also table on “management of migration flows”.
See also table on “mutual recognition of judicial decisions”.
See also table on “cooperation against drugs”.
See also table on “mutual recognition of judicial decisions”.

26

Proposal on common charges
for hooliganism

Council, on the
basis of an initiative
by a Member State

legislation is already in
force

Oisin programme
financed a project to
evaluate cooperation
between the relevant
services during Euro
2000. Findings
expected end 2000.

Initiatives on possible
European measures
expected from
Belgium and/or
Netherlands

27

Common definitions, charges
and penalties in the field of
racism and xenophobia
(framework decision)

Council, on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

April 2004

Common definitions in the field
of preventing and combating
cybercrime including common
charges and penalties for high-
tech crime

Council, on the
basis of a proposal
of the Commission

April 2001

Second report on the
implementation of the
Joint Action of 15 July
1996 expected19 end
2000

Commission to
evaluate in 2001
whether a new
initiative is needed and
what its scope should
be

Commission expects to
present a
communication in
December 2000

Criminalisation of fraud to non-
cash means of payment

Council, on the
basis of a proposal
of the Commission

April 2001

Council agreement in
principle in May 2000

Common definitions, charges
and penalties as regards
counterfeiting of the euro

April 2001

Council to adopt a
Framework Decision
– complementary
measures should
follow20

Parliament opinion in
July 2000

Commission to
present an action plan
comprising preventive
measures before end
2000

Framework Decision
on criminal penalties
for counterfeiting the
euro adopted by the
Council in May 2000.

Criminalisation of fraud in public
tender

Reinforcing the legal framework
for the protection of the
Community’s financial interests

Council on the basis
of an initiative by a
Member State

Council and EP on
the basis of a
Commission
proposal

April 2001

Germany presented an
initiative in March 1999

Commission
communication on an
overall fraud
prevention strategy in
June 2000 and
additional contribution
to IGC in September
2000 on creating a
European Public
Prosecutor

Common definitions, charges
and penalties for offences linked
with terrorism21

Council on the basis
of an initiative by a
Member State

Common definitions, charges
and penalties in the field of tax

Council on the basis
of a Commission
proposal or an

19

20

21

See also table on “fair treatment of third country nationals”.
Discussions underway on the Commission proposal of July 2000 for a Council Regulation on the protection of
the euro against counterfeiting
See also table on “mutual recognition of judicial decisions”.

28

fraud

initiative by a
Member State

29

4.4.

Special action against money laundering

Money laundering is at the very heart of organised crime. For that reason
measures must be taken in order to root it out wherever it occurs to ensure that
concrete steps are taken to trace, freeze, seize and confiscate the proceeds of
crime.

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable for
adoption

State of play

Deprive criminals of
the proceeds of
crime

Convention or framework
decision on financial crime,
money laundering

Council, on the
basis of an
initiative by France

Concrete steps to trace, freeze,
seize and confiscate the
proceeds of crime

Enhance knowledge
and capacity to fight
money laundering
activities

Implement fully the provisions of
the Money Laundering Directive,
the 1990 Strasbourg Convention
and the Financial Action Task
Force recommendations also in
all their dependent territories

Member States

To adopt the draft revised
directive on money laundering

Council and
Parliament

As soon as
possible

More rapid exchange of
information between the existing
financial intelligence units (FIU),
entitling judicial authorities and
FIU to receive information
regardless of secrecy provisions.

Council on the
basis of an
initiative by
Finland

30

French Presidency
presented a draft
framework decision
on money
laundering. Council
agreement in
principle in October
2000.

Parliament opinion in
November 2000.

Discussions in
progress on the draft
(French initiative)
convention on
mutual judicial
assistance in the
fight against
organised crime,
money laundering
and financial crime
(advanced stage).

French Presidency
will present an
initiative on the
freezing of assets
and evidence.

1990 Convention to
be ratified by
Luxembourg.

Conclusions adopted
by Joint Council
(Economic and
Financial Affairs and
Justice and Home
Affairs) in October
2000.

Council agreement in
principle in
September 2000
(first reading)

Council decision in
October 2000 on the
basis of a Finnish
initiative.

Community rules must be drawn
up to prevent use of non-EU
companies and organisations to
launder the proceeds of crime

Commission /
Council / Member
States

Draw up a report identifying
provisions in national banking,
financial and corporate
legislation which obstruct
international cooperation

Commission

Preventing the excessive use of
cash payments and study the
role of casinos and gambling
houses

Ensure the transparency of
financial transactions by
electronic means

Extend the competence of
Europol to cover money
laundering22 in general
regardless of the offence from
which the proceeds originate

Commission to
initiate study

December
2003

Council/
Commission

December
2001

Council on the
basis of a
Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

Improve the legal provisions
against money laundering with
off-shore and on-shore financial
centres and tax havens.

Council/
Commission/
Member States

Support international action
with regard to off-shore
countries.

Prepare a model agreement for
negotiation with off-shore and
on-shore financial centres and
tax havens

December
2001

22

See also table on “stepping up cooperation in the fight against crime”.

31

Conclusions adopted
by Joint Council
(Economic and
Financial Affairs,
Justice and Home
Affairs) in October
2000 call on
Commission to
produce a report.

Council agreement in
principle in
September 2000 on
widening the
competence of
Europol to cover
money laundering in
general (Portuguese
initiative).

Parliament opinion in
November 2000.

Decision adopted by
Council in November
2000.

Joint Council
(Economic and
Financial Affairs,
Justice and Home
Affairs) adopted
conclusions in
October 2000 on
immediate and
coordinated
implementation of
FATF counter-
measures. The
measures could be
decided on in June
2001.

Joint Council
(Economic and
Financial Affairs,
Justice and Home
Affairs) adopted
conclusions in
October 2000

Examine possibilities:

Commission

July 2001

–

–

–

for
and
strengthening
making more consistent
existing
national
provisions on controlling
cross-border movements
of money
for
for making it easier
Member States to adopt
such provisions
for organising exchanges
of
between
Member States

information

envisaging that
agreements could be
concluded in the
long term.

In line with Joint
Council (Economic
and Financial Affairs,
JHA) conclusions of
October 2000,
Commission is
examining the
usefulness and
feasibility of a
European instrument

5.

ISSUES RELATED TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BORDERS AND VISA POLICY,
IMPLEMENTATION OF ART. 62 EC AND CONVERTING THE SCHENGEN ACQUIS

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable for
adoption

State of Play

Further
development of a
common visa
policy

Regulation on countries whose
nationals are respectively
exempt from or subject to the
visa requirement for crossing
external borders

Commission /
Council

April 2001

Procedure and conditions for
issuing visas by Member States

Commission/
Council/Member
States

April 2003

Rules on a uniform visa

Commission /
Council /
Member States

April 2001

32

Commission
proposal in
January 2000;
Parliament
opinion in July
and amended
proposal in
September
2000

The
Commission is
preparing
negotiating
briefs to
conclude
agreements
between the
Community
and non-EU
countries.

In June 2000
Finland
presented an
initiative on
measures for
implementing
the common
consular
instruction.

To be taken
into
consideration
in connection
with proposals
on the right to

Further development of the
technical specifications of the
uniform format for visas

Commission /
Council

Short term
measures 2000-
2002 – long term
measures 2004

Uniform format for forms for
affixing the visa to travel
documents which are not
recognised

Commission /
Council /
Member States

2001

Proposal on a regulation on an
airport transit visa

Commission/
Council/Member
States

April 2001

Closer cooperation between EU
consulates in third countries

Member States

Ongoing process

Measures on the freedom to
travel within the territory of MS

Commission/
Council/Member
States

April 2001

Further
development of a
common policy
related to false
documents

To render documents more
secure, introducing minimum
standards for travel documents
and residence permits

Commission/
Council/Member
States

April 2001

33

travel within
the territory of
the Member
States.

Commission
intends to
present a
proposal for
amending
Regulation
1683/95 on a
uniform format
for visas before
first quarter of
2001.

Commission
intends to
present a
proposal for a
regulation
before end of
March 2001.

Possible
communitarisat
ion of Joint
Action of
March 1996.

See point VIII of
the common
consular
instruction and
Recommendati
on of 4 March
1996.

In July 2000 the
French
Presidency
presented an
initiative on
travel on a
long-stay visa.

In June 2000
the Portuguese
Presidency
presented an
initiative on
travel by
nationals
exempt from
the visa
requirement.

Commission in
the process of
drawing up
proposals.

Commission
intends to
present a
proposal
before end
March 2001 on
the

communitarisat
ion of the
uniform format
for residence
permits
granted to third
country
nationals.

Adoption in
October 2000
of a resolution
of the
representatives
of the
Governments
meeting within
the Council.

Council
Recommendati
on of 29 April
1999 on
provision of
staff and
equipment

Council
adopted in
March 2000 a
decision to
improve
exchange of
information.

Training
programme
financed by
Odysseus
programme in
March 1998.

Portugal tabled
an initiative to
update the
Common
Manual.

French
Presidency
tabled an
initiative to
downgrade
parts of the
Common
Manual

As the
accession
negotiations
progress

Commission
intends to

To facilitate the detection of
false documents, training and
equipment

Commission/
Council/Member
States

Ongoing process

Control at the
external borders
of the Union

Close cooperation between the
Member States border control
services, such as exchange
programmes and technology
transfer

Commission/
Council/Member
States

April 2001

Procedure for adopting
certain measures
implementing the Common
Manual

Commission /
Council /
Member States

Rapid inclusion of the applicant
States in this cooperation

Commission /
Council /
Member States

Ongoing process

Converting the

Communitarisation of Article 2 of
the Schengen Convention

Council /
Commission /

2001

34

Schengen acquis

(safeguarding clause allowing
the temporary reintroduction of
border controls)

Member States

present a
proposal in first
quarter of 2001.

35

6.

CITIZENSHIP OF THE UNION

Objective

Actions needed

Responsibility

Timetable for
adoption

State of play

Further
citizens'
move
freely

facilitation of
to
reside

right

and

Information on
exercise of rights
attached to Union
citizenship

Regulation updating
and revising of rules
on the right of entry,
movement and
residence of citizens
of the Union

Regulation on
uniform European
passport

Regulation on
uniform format for
identity card for
Union citizens

Regulation on
uniform format for
residence permit for
Union citizens and
members of their
families

Regulation to make it
easier for school
groups consisting of
Union citizens and
covered by
Community law to
travel between and
through Member
States

Communication on
results of elections
to EP

Commission / Council
/ Parliament

2001

Commission /
Council / Parliament

2001

Commission /
Council / Parliament

2001

Commission /
Council / Parliament

2001

Commission /
Council / Parliament

2001

Commission

2000

First report on
municipal elections

Commission

2001

Commission
intends to present
a proposal before
end March 2001.

Commission
intends to present
a proposal before
end March 2001.

Commission
intends to present
a proposal before
end March 2001.

Commission
intends to present
a proposal before
end March 2001.

Commission
intends to present
a proposal before
end March 2001.

Commission
intends to present
a communication
before end of year

Commission
intends to present
a report on
municipal elections

Third report on the
citizenship of the
Union

Commission

By the end of
2000

Being prepared.

7.

COOPERATION AGAINST DRUGS

As a collective and individual threat, the drugs problem needs to be addressed in
a global, multidisciplinary and integrated manner. The EU drugs strategy for the
years 2000-2004 will also be evaluated at mid-term and at completion, with the
help of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
(EMCDDA) and Europol.

36

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable for
adoption

State of Play

Implementation of the
EU Drugs Strategy for
2000-2004 endorsed
by the European
Council in Helsinki

Report to the
European Council on
an EU action plan on
drugs (2000-2004)

Council to prepare
report

June 2000

Strengthening of
cooperation with the
European Monitoring
Centre on Drugs and
Drug Addiction and
Europol in particular
as regards synthetic
drugs and precursors

Development of a
methodology for the
evaluation of the EU
drugs strategy for
2000-2004

Council /
Commission/
Member States

Council and
Parliament on the
basis of proposals of
the Commission

European Union Action
Plan to combat drugs
(2000-2004) adopted by
the Feira European
Council in June 2000.

GHB and Ketamine
examined under the
Joint Action on New
Synthetic Drugs.
Commission to launch
evaluation of this Joint
Action in 2001.

Development by
European Monitoring
Centre for Drugs and
Drug Addiction in 2001
of methodological
instruments to evaluate
anti-drug activities.

Common definitions,
charges and penalties
in the field of drug

trafficking

23

Council on the basis
of a Commission
proposal

April 2001

Commission launched
study in July 2000, to be
completed end 2000.

23

See also table on “fight against certain forms of crime”.

37

Enhancement of
police customs and
judicial cooperation in
preventing and
combating drugs
trafficking

Council on the basis
of a Commission
proposal or a
Member State
initiative

In response to
Parliament's request to
create a new budget
heading, the
Commission proposed
in the preliminary draft
budget for 2001 a budget
of
1 million for
preparatory work on
combating the
trafficking of illegal
drugs.

€

8.

STRONGER EXTERNAL ACTION

The European Union underlines that all competencies and instrument at
the
disposal of the Union, and in particular, in external relations must be used in an
integrated and consistent way to build the area of freedom, security and justice.
Justice and Home Affairs concerns must be integrated in the definition and
implementation of other Union policies and activities.

Objective

Action needed

Responsibility

Timetable for
adoption

State of Play

The Feira European
Council is to agree on
clear priorities, policy
objectives and
measures for the
Union’s external
action in Justice and
Home Affairs

June 2000

Council, in close
cooperation with the
Commission to draw
up specific
recommendations

All competencies and
instrument at the
disposal of the Union,
and in particular, in
external relations
must be used in an
integrated and
consistent way
Justice and Home
Affairs concerns must
be integrated in the
definition and
implementation of
other Union policies
and activities

In June 2000 Feira
European Council
adopted a report
drawn up by the
Council and
Commission on
external relations in
the JHA field, in
order to integrate
them in the Union's
overall strategy and
thus to contribute
to establishing the
AFSJ.

38