Commission adopts the third annual report on achievements in Justice, Freedom and Security policies

Today, the Commission adopted the third annual report on the implementation of the Hague Programme on achievements in Justice, Freedom and Security policies, also referred to as the Scoreboard. The Hague Programme, which covers 2005-2009, is the successor of the Tampere Programme which covered the period 1999-2004. The 2007 Scoreboard assesses progress made vis-à-vis actions envisaged in the Hague Action plan for 2007. Considerable achievements have been registered in the areas of Migration and Border Management, as well as Fight against terrorism. The findings also support the need to improve decision-making in the areas covered by Title VI of the EU Treaty (police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters).

Vice-President Jacques Barrot, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, stated "We have maintained our commitment to developing a genuine area of freedom, security and justice. During 2007, we have made significant progress in the areas of Migration and Border Policy, Fight against terrorism and Judicial Cooperation in Civil Matters. I call on the Member States to continue their efforts in the last two years of the Hague programme."

The rate of achievement during 2007 was lower than those of previous years. In 2006, 53% of measures for the period were achieved. For 2007 this figure is 38%. Progress was recorded in 'First Pillar' areas, such as civil justice the European strategy on drugs, asylum and migration, visa and border policies, as well as in the fight against global terrorism. But Justice, Freedom and Security policy is currently divided – measures are based on different 'pillars' – and there were delays in the areas covered by the 'Third Pillar' (police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters).

In order to meet the strategic objectives set out in the Hague Programme, additional initiatives – not originally included in the Action Plan - were taken on board. Some examples include the adoption during 2007 of several measures, such as the Counter Terrorism Package, the Communication on circular migration and mobility partnerships between the EU and third Countries, the proposal for a Council Directive on the condition of entry and residence of third-country nationals of the purpose of highly qualified employment, and the proposal for a Council directive on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State.

The Scoreboard also highlights that some Member States have achieved considerable progress in communicating national transposition measures in comparison to the situation as examined in last year's report. However, a number of Member States fail to comply with the deadline to transpose legal instruments into national legislation, or have delays in transposition. This particularly concerns acts adopted in the area of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, where the Commission does not have the power to launch infringement procedures.

Aiming at re-launching and giving new impetus to EU action, particularly in those areas which have seen little progress in the past few years, the Commission intends to present next year a Communication on the future of justice, freedom and security policies. This Communication will constitute the basis for discussing and preparing the new multiannual programme in the JLS area for the period 2010-2014 and will be the successor to the Tampere and the Hague Programmes. The Commission will launch soon an open public consultation on future priorities to develop further the area of freedom, security and justice.

Link to the Scoreboard:

http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/news/intro/news_intro_en.htm

To find out more about Vice President Barrot's work please see his website: http://www.ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/barrot/index_en.htm