Drive to give European court a role in settling asylum cases

Following the special meeting of the European Council in Tampere on 15-16 October 1999 where it was decided to create an area of freedom, security and justice in the European Union and ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs informal meeting in Tampere scheduled for 20-22 September 2006 the Commission presented its first political assessment of progress in implementing the Hague Programme on the 28 June 2006. European citizens urge the EU to put in place the necessary measures to make Europe a safe place to live in. The Union and the Member States must respond together to the challenge of being more effective in the fight against organised crime and terrorism, but also in the management of migration flows and the control of external borders. Implementing the multi-annual programme strengthening Freedom, Security and Justice in the European Union, the so-called “Hague Programme”, is a common goal, which imposes effective and accountable decision-making and clear political priorities.

European Commission: Press Release: IP/06/848: From Tampere to Tampere: Commission responds to EU citizen’s demands to build up Europe as an area of freedom, security and justice http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/848&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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