Vitorino acts to implement Tampere aims

Date: 27/04/2000

By John Shelley

THE European Commission is set to unveil plans next week for foreign policy projects aimed at supporting the Union's ambitious justice and home affairs programme.

Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner António Vitorino will argue that in order for the EU's dream of creating a common area of freedom, security and justice to be realised, the Union must integrate justice and home affairs policy into its relations both with enlargement candidate countries and those beyond. 'If the Commission is going to deal with asylum and immigration policies, these will have to impact on external affairs,' said his spokesman.

The paper, drawn up with External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten and trade chief Pascal Lamy, will stress that priority must be given to projects to boost cooperation with countries bidding to join the EU.

Vitorino will suggest areas where Phare aid for central and eastern European applicants should be spent to smooth the transition to membership. This is likely to include programmes to help train police officers and customs officers, as well as preparing candidates to take part in police and justice cooperation programmes.

The Commissioner will also suggest ending the current anomalies in visa rules so that applicant country citizens do not require permits to visit each other and the Union.

For non-candidate countries, Vitorino will argue the key priority should be repatriation accords under which third countries agree to take back rejected asylum seekers.

The report is the first step in the Commission's efforts to fulfil a commitment made at last October's Tampere summit to draw up external action goals for justice and home affairs by the time EU leaders meet next in June.

The European Commission is set to unveil plans for foreign policy projects aimed at supporting the Union's ambitious justice and home affairs programme.