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Civil law, commercial law, family law and private international law aspects of the action plan implementing the Stockholm programme

2010/2080(INI)

The Council adopted conclusions on the Commission Communication "Delivering an area of freedom, security and justice for Europe's citizens - Action Plan Implementing the Stockholm Programme".

The Council emphasized strongly that the Stockholm Programme is the only guiding frame of reference for the political and operational agenda of the European Union in the Area of Justice, Security and Freedom. In this context, it:

  • aims to respect institutional prerogatives of the European Parliament, which in most of the legislative measures to be adopted in implementation of the Stockholm Programme is a colegislator with the Council;
  • is mindful of the Commission’s and the Member States' right of initiative in matters dealt with in the Treaties as provided for under Article 76 TFEU;
  • underlines that the Stockholm Programme has to be implemented in strict compliance with the legal bases laid down in the Treaties and the principles of solidarity, subsidiarity and proportionality, and that it is important that before any new legislative proposal or initiative is submitted, studies and impact assessments have been carried out.

The Council notes however that some of the actions proposed by the Commission are not in line with the Stockholm Programme and that others, being included in the Stockholm Programme, are not reflected in the Communication of the Commission.

The Commission is urged in this regard to take only those initiatives that are in full conformity with the Stockholm Programme in order to ensure its complete and timely implementation. It is also called upon to present the mid-term review of the implementation of the Stockholm programme by June 2012, taking due account of these Council Conclusions.

The Council calls on all parties concerned to ensure due implementation of all necessary measures and actions stemming from the Stockholm Programme, including those not present in the above Commission proposal, in order to attain the 2010- 2014 strategic objectives in the Area of Justice, Freedom and Security.