The Last Justice and Home Affairs Council during the Czech Presidency rounded off successfully
Minister of Justice Daniela Kovářová chaired today the concluding meeting of EU Ministers of Justice during the Czech Presidency in Luxembourg. The Ministers adopted draft regulations that regulate procedures for negotiation and adoption of bilateral agreements, they assessed developments achieved in the field of eJustice, and they also discussed the issue of international abductions of children into countries which are not a party to the Hague Convention.
Soon, it will become possible for EU Member States to enter into bilateral international agreements with third countries even in areas where they have so far not been authorised to do so. Two draft regulations discussed by the Ministers at the Council meeting should contribute towards these efforts. These regulations should set the rules for concluding agreements with third countries regarding issues falling exclusively into external powers of the EC, not only in the area of contractual and non-contractual obligations but also in the area of family law. The Czech Presidency has been actively pursuing the submission of such legislation and its prompt negotiation.
Another issue addressed by the Ministers was the Directive on criminal sanctions for ship-source pollution. The aim of the amendment of this directive is the introduction of criminal sanctions in cases of illegal discharge of dangerous substances into the sea from marine vessels. “The Czech Presidency and the European Parliament achieved to draft a compromise text and the Council was informed on the state of its negotiations today. After withdrawing the EP’s reservations, the complete text will again be formally adopted by the Council,” stated the Czech Minister.
The participants at the Council meeting also greatly appreciated the efforts of the Czech Presidency in the area of eJustice. A set of documents that aim to support the use of videoconference devices in cross-border affairs, such as a list of videoconference devices and a manual with legal and technical aspects of this technology, was presented to the Ministers. The Ministers also welcomed the progress that the Czech Presidency has made in preparations of the European eJustice portal that will be officially launched in December 2009.
During lunch, discussion was held on the topic of international child abductions into countries which are not a party to the Hague Convention from 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. “Judging from our experience, there is only little chance for successful retrieval of children in cases of child abductions into non-Convention countries. Therefore, I am very happy that my colleagues and I had the chance to discuss the current practice of individual Member States in solving these complicated cases,” stated Minister Kovářová. The Ministers exchanged experiences on cooperation with diplomatic missions and NGOs regarding the use of cross-border mediation and other ways of helping parents whose child has been abducted.
kontakt:
- Martina Kvašová, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Justice
- tel.: +420 221 997 263, GSM: +420 737 247 338; [email protected]
Last update: 16.8.2011 15:19
