Combating illegal immigration: financial penalties imposed on carriers. Initiative France

A new proposal of the text of the French Initiative was proposed to the Union delegations to take account of a certain number of new elements and in particular the concerns expressed by Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands in relation to this text. These elements relate in particular to: - the respect of the practices of the Member States when the person is being carried submits an asylum application or is admitted to the territory of a Member State (concern expressed in particular by Belgium and Sweden); - the financial penalties per stowaway, that being EUR 5000 (Dutch concern); - the commitment of Sweden to provide provisions, bearing in mind that there is no legislation in this country which imposes fines to carriers of illegal immigrants. In the meantime, the country confirms its intention to continue the negotiations with the view to reaching an agreement. This new text reflects the latest state of play within the Council and lays down the proposal on which the Parliament shall be duly consulted. �