Mate Discussing Europol and Visa Waiver in Prague
Issues related to the European law enforcement organisation, Europol, and negotiations on the visa regime with the US topped the agenda as Slovenian Interior Minister Dragutin Mate met his Czech counterpart Ivan Langer in Prague on Wednesday, according to a press release from the Slovenian presidency of the EU.
Mate also attended a joint session of the committees on foreign and EU affairs of the Czech Senate. As he said after the meeting, he presented to the Senate the latest version of a compromise text of the draft Council decision establishing Europol which was drafted by Slovenia.
"In our opinion it (the proposal) offers solutions concerning the positions taken by the Czech Parliament. I believe that now the senators will see the document in a more positive light," Mate was quoted as saying in the press release.
In April 2007, the Czech Senate passed a resolution urging the Czech government to ensure the country's interests be considered in the negotiations on the draft decision founding Europol.
The resolution suggests the preservation of Europol's financing by the EU member states, unanimity as a precondition to adopting certain decisions and assurances that Europol will not conduct investigations and operational activities on Czech territory.
Based on today's discussions, the Slovenian presidency anticipates that political agreement will be reached at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in April regarding the draft decision on Europol.
The proposal envisages the European Police Office to change into a European agency which would get funds from the common EU budget, while its employees would get the status of EU officials.
During his visit to Prague, Minister Mate was also briefed on the latest developments regarding the visa-waiver programme which the Czech Republic is currently negotiating with the US.
The debate also touched on the Czech position concerning approval by the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the Commission's mandate to start negotiations with the US in policy areas that fall within EU powers.
The Czech Republic was the first EU member state to sign a controversial memorandum with the US at the end of February as the first step towards abolition of visas for its citizens travelling to the US.
Several other new members followed to the dismay of the EU because some of the security requirements in the memorandums - in particular the exchange of data on air passengers - extend to areas that are in the responsibility of the EU.
The EU and the US later reached agreement that matters falling within national responsibilities will be discussed with national authorities, while those that fall within EU responsibilities will be discussed with EU authorities.
All old EU member states bar Greece are in the visa-waiver programme, while Slovenia is the only country from the 2004 round of enlargement enjoying visa-free travel to the US under the scheme.
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