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

In adopting the report by Mr Glyn FORD (PSE, UK), Parliament approved with amendments the proposal for a Council Directive on the elimination of controls on persons crossing internal frontiers. Parliament noted that the free movement of persons is laid down by the Treaty and hence cannot be made dependent on accompanying measures. Moreover, persons who are entitled to freedom of movement should not suffer discriminatory treatment depending on whether they are Union citizens or are lawfully resident. Parliament proposed that a Member State should be able, in the event of a 'genuine threat' to public policy or public security (and not a 'serious threat' as the Commission proposed) to reinstate controls for a period of thirty days and asked to be informed thereof immediately on the same basis as the Commission and the other Member States. Finally, the EP reiterated the date of 31 December 1996 as the final date for implementation of the Directive and called on the Commission, not later than one year after implementation of the Directive, and every two years thereafter, to report on its application. �