Frattini: Finland bold in its promotion of area of justice

According to Franco Frattini, Vice President of the European Commission, Finland successfully took forward the justice and home affairs agenda during its EU presidency. Commissioner Frattini commented that the work done by Finland should provide a solid foundation for the German presidency to build on in further developing the area of freedom, security and justice.

Commissioner Franco Frattini. Picture: European Commission

Italian Commissioner Franco Frattini, who has responsibility for justice and home affairs, reviewed the Finnish presidency in a declaration:

" I believe that the Finnish Presidency managed to lay some good foundations for future progress in the area of Freedom, Security and Justice. It coincided with a critical and complex time for Freedom, Security and Justice and I hope we will make further progress under the German Presidency.

We have a contradictory situation: On the one hand we have good cooperation among Member States on illegal migration, border control and civil law, where the Council decides with a qualified majority of votes. But there is often stalemate in police cooperation, criminal justice and legal migration where the Council has to achieve unanimity. We must improve the decision making process. The Finnish Presidency had the political courage to put the passerelle, found in the existing treaties, on the table for discussion. They knew this would be difficult because of Member States' differing political views.

I am pleased that agreement was achieved on the mid-term review of the Hague Programme which sets out the priorities for the European Union to strengthen freedom, security and justice. The European Council called on Member States to further explore improving decision-making. We must make progress here, not least because all opinion polls, including a very recent one, show great EU citizens' support for decision making at European level. Our citizens understand that cross border problems such as terrorism, organised crime and immigration can only be effectively addressed at European level. They see that this is precisely the value the EU brings, and could bring more.

We must not overlook the work done under the Finnish Presidency which directly affects these same European citizens. This Period was by no means solely concerned with political discussions on decision making. I am delighted at the agreement reached in December by the Council and European Parliament on the legal basis for the second generation of the Schengen Information System, including giving new Member States the possibility of lifting internal borders by the end of 2007. Decision-making was fast, coming only three months after the informal meeting of European Justice and Home Affairs Ministers held in Tampere.

Migration is a key issue for Europe's citizens. Important progress was made on visa facilitation and readmission agreements, negotiations were concluded with Russia and opened with the Western Balkans. I warmly welcome the political orientation by the European Council on the global approach to migration issues and the protection of EU maritime borders.

2007 will see the establishment of the European Agency for Fundamental Rights. The difficult negotiations for this, which required unanimity, were concluded under the Finnish Presidency.
The Finnish presidency helped conclude negotiations on several acts that will strengthen the fight against terrorism and organised crime, enhance judicial cooperation among Member States and improve European Citizens' access to justice. The agreement between the EU and USA on the processing and transfer of passenger name record data, and the Framework Decision that will enable National Courts to take account of previous convictions for cross-border criminals highlight this.

I believe therefore that the Finnish Presidency covered much ground. It was concerned not just with the process of decision making at European level but crucially with matters which are key for Europe's citizens. This has provided a good basis on which I am confident the German and future Presidencies will build. "

Press release by the Ministry of the Interior(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)