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

The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European protection order.

Parliament approved the Council position in first reading without amendment.

It should be noted that in an annexed declaration, the Council made a Statement on the comprehensive approach to the question of recognition of protection measures.

Considering the fact that this Directive is focused on protection measures taken in criminal matters, and given the different legal traditions in the Member States in this field, the Council is aware that this instrument will have to be complemented in the future by a similar mechanism for mutual recognition of protection measures taken in civil matters.

In this respect, the Council recalls that the proposal presented by the Commission for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on mutual recognition of protection measures in civil matters is currently under examination in the preparatory bodies of the Council.

In line with its Resolution of 10 June 2011 on a Roadmap for strengthening the rights and protection of victims, in particular in criminal proceedings (see Measure ‘C’), the Council commits itself to continuing the examination of this proposal as a matter of priority. It also commits itself to ensure that this instrument will complement the provisions of the Directive on the European protection order, so that the combined scope of application of the two instruments enables the cooperation among the Member States, irrespective of the nature of their national systems, with respect to the highest possible number of protection measures for victims.