European Protection Order. Initiative Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Finland and Sweden

The Council discussed publicly the Member State initiative for a European protection order. The aim of the directive is to facilitate and enhance the protection granted to victims of crime, or possible victims of crime, who move between EU Member States.

After a long discussion, the presidency concluded that there is sufficient ground for the Council to continue discussions with the European Parliament with a view to reaching an agreement on the text of the draft directive. The presidency noted that at the next session of the Council in October 2010, the Council should assess the position of the United Kingdom, following a reasonable period of time as referred to in article 3, paragraph 2 of protocol 21 to the Lisbon Treaty.

The paragraph reads: "If after a reasonable period of time a measure referred to in paragraph 1 cannot be adopted with the United Kingdom or Ireland taking part, the Council may adopt such measure in accordance with Article 1 without the participation of the United Kingdom or Ireland."

Negotiations will now follow with the European Parliament and the Council will assess progress made at its next meeting in October 2010. Council and Parliament have to agree on a final text of the directive under the ordinary legislative procedure. Each Member State will then need to transpose the new rules into national law.

The proposal for a European protection order is based on a joint initiative of twelve EU Member States, presented in January 2010. The focus of the initiative is on crimes which may endanger the victims' life, physical, psychological and sexual integrity or their personal liberty. The ultimate goal is to avoid new acts of crime and to mitigate the consequences of previous acts of crime.