| Author (Person) | Chapman, Peter |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.10, No.11, 25.3.04 |
| Publication Date | 25/03/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 25/03/04 By Peter Chapman MEMBER states are still wrangling over the format of a law ensuring EU-wide schemes for compensation to victims of terrorism and crime - despite the Madrid bombings. Diplomats said EU justice ministers must solve their differences on the fine details of the plan at their meeting next Tuesday (30 March), before they can sign-off on the law. They said the sticking points remain the level of a maximum level for payouts. This is likely to be used by the Union's most hard-up countries, including many of the newcomers, joining in May. The Commission wanted at least a €60,000 maximum. But some countries, including the new entrants, think this is too high and are pushing for a smaller maximum amount, to be phased-in over a long period. Other countries also have concerns about the proposal's legal basis - EU jargon for the part of the Union's rule book used to justify new legislation. Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner António Vitorino used the 'catch-all' Article 308 of the treaty. This is reserved for policy initiatives that have no clear-cut legal basis but are important for the Union to achieve its objectives. The Portuguese said the law enables the EU to meet its goals in the field of civil law. But critics warn this could encourage the Commission to use the same legal basis for less pressing legislation. European Union Justice and Home Affairs Ministers meeting in Brussels on 29 March 2004 reached agreement on compensation for victims of crime and terrorism. |
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| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Subject Categories | Justice and Home Affairs, Security and Defence |
