Thursday, April 3, 2014

Highlights of Deputy FM Kourkoulas’ intervention at the EP Plenary sitting on the mid-term review of the Stockholm Programme (Brussels, 2 April 2014)

MFA, Thursday, 03 April 2014
D. KOURKOULAS: The Stockholm Programme has so far achieved significant success in its role in guiding and directing the EU's efforts to give effect to a wide-ranging and ambitious set of actions in the JHA area. It built on the earlier Tampere and Hague programmes as the main planning tool for this important policy area.

I think we have every reason to be proud of what has been achieved. For example, in the area of Asylum and Migration, there has been significant progress on the development of a Common European Asylum System, which is a particularly complex and sensitive file.


Another important issue is the development of Frontex, with its enhanced commitment to Fundamental Rights and the agreement reached on the operations at sea issue. The Smart Border initiative is now moving forward with the objective of reaching agreement by mid-2016.

We all know that security issues remain of very significant concern to the citizens of the EU. Our work on serious and organised crime is a highly operational part of our action which aims at tackling a scourge which undermines our societies. Key to action in this area are the EU agencies such as EUROPOL and CEPOL.

The Stockholm Programme has also allowed us to take a major step forward in the area of Justice, resulting in more effective protection of individual citizens and their basic rights.

Overall the Stockholm Programme has acted as a catalyst which has enabled us collectively to deliver on a wide range of legislation and actions which help protect the security and rights of all EU citizens. We now need to build on the success of the Stockholm Programme, learn from experience, and draw lessons for the future.

There is a significant degree of shared thinking about where we stand on a wide range of issues. We all agree - I think - that we need to put more emphasis on the quality of legislation rather than quantity. The Stockholm programme has been successful in laying the foundations in this area. The priority now must be to consolidate and implement the existing framework.

It must be clear to everyone that the future development of the Area of Freedom Security and Justice is not just an abstract exercise. It touches on the interests, values and security of all our citizens. The European Council, with its particular treaty-based role, is committed to building on the considerable achievements so far. But delivering results in this area can only ever be a collective endeavour. We therefore continue to look for the support of the European Parliament, and we thank you for the valuable contribution which you make in this area which is vital to the development of Europe.

The European Space of Freedom and Justice started to become manifest a few years ago. Today it is intrinsic to the European Integration that contributes to he improvement of the lives of citizens.

mfa.gr
3/4/14

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