Free movement of persons: report by the High-Level Panel chaired by Mrs Simone Veil

The conclusions of the lengthy report by the High-Level Panel on the Free Movement of Persons, chaired by Ms Simone VEIL, received the seal of approval of the Committee. The main conclusion reached in Ms Veil's report is that, with a few exceptions, the free movement of persons now exists and that most of the problems people encounter can be resolved without amending existing legislation. The Committee emphasised in this connection that the Commission should, where necessary, bring proceedings against Member States which are guilty of improper administrative practices. Parliament's rapporteur, Anne-Marie SCHAFFNER (UFE, F), stressed that freedom of movement should not be understood as applying purely to workers, as the Community originally intended, but should be seen as a basic principle applicable to all members of the public regardless of status. She welcomed the fact that the Commission responded swiftly to the conclusions of the Veil report by bringing forward proposals on issues relating to the free movement of persons, such as the question of supplementary pensions. According to Ms Schaffner, people who leave their country for another should enjoy exactly the same treatment as those who stay at home: they should neither be penalised nor derive any advantage from their situation.�