Freedom of movement: elimination of controls on persons crossing internal frontiers

The report by Mr Glyn FORD (PSE, UK), which was adopted unanimously with 1 abstention, proposes several amendments to the proposal for a directive on the elimination of controls on persons crossing internal frontiers, while accepting its basic principle, i.e. the elimination of controls on all persons crossing internal frontiers, irrespective of nationality. This is important confirmation of the position taken by the European Parliament, which has always been concerned at the attempt made by certain governments to contend that the free movement of persons would apply solely to nationals from the Member States and not to any person travelling (legally) within the Community. Thus, the report reiterates that 31 December 1996 must be the final date on which the directive is transposed and enters into force in the Member States and makes provision for the Member States to notify the European Parliament and the Council of any other measures being adopted to safeguard the free movement of persons. However, it emphasized that a delay in taking these measures cannot be cited in order to delay the application of the abolition of these controls, thereby expressing the idea that the free movement of persons under the terms of the Treaty cannot be made dependent on accompany measures. �